A fire damaged the Tiny Turtle restaurant in Cocoa Beach early Monday, according to officials. The restaurant, located at 1230 S Atlantic Ave, sustained significant damage to its kitchen and dining area. No injuries were reported, but the building is expected to require extensive repairs. The owner, Sarah Mitchell, said the fire occurred around 2:45 a.m. and was likely caused by an electrical malfunction.
Mitchell described the moment she arrived at the scene. 'I saw smoke coming from the back door and heard the fire alarms,' she said. 'It was heartbreaking to see everything we worked for destroyed.' The restaurant, a local staple for over a decade, has been a gathering spot for residents and visitors.
Community members and local businesses have since launched fundraising efforts. A GoFundMe page set up by a Cocoa Beach resident has already raised over $15,000. 'People are stepping up,' said Mitchell. 'We’re not just rebuilding a restaurant — we’re rebuilding a piece of our town.'
The Cocoa Beach Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the restaurant’s staff has been working with insurance companies to assess the damage. Mitchell said she hopes to reopen by late summer. 'This isn’t just about the building,' she said. 'It’s about the people who come here every day.'