FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — A raging fire burned a once popular Central Florida tourist attraction to the ground.
The early morning fire was the second one since December at the Seashell House, known by many as the “Shell Shack” in Fruitland Park.
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Seashell House’s owner told Channel 9 she believes both fires were arson.
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Now police, the county fire marshal and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are all investigating.
Firefighters were still putting out hot spots Thursday afternoon after flames gutted the Shell Shack.
Photos: Second fire since December destroys ‘Shell Shack’ tourist attraction in Lake County
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“It was a defensive mode fire attack, and we actually struck a second alarm just to make sure we have enough resources on scene,” said Lake County Fire Rescue battalion chief Tony Cuellar.
The first fire in December damaged much of the business, the second fire Thursday torched what remained.
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“Very upsetting. Very angry, I’m beyond angry,” said owner Susan Beville.
Beville said the business was started by family more than 50 years ago and was a popular roadside attraction.
Last week, former employee James Prout was arrested for grand theft after he removed shells and coral from the property.
Photos: Shell Shack evidence photos
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He told police he was just trying to keep the items safe because someone named Ronnie was “threatening to burn the rest of the building down.”
A week later it caught fire.
Channel 9 caught up with Prout, but he did not want to talk about it on camera. Off camera he also said this was arson.
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Beville believes someone angry at Prout was responsible.
The business has not been open for a couple of years, but a lot of inventory remained, which was not insured.
See more in the video above.
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