‘My worst nightmare’: Mamajuana Cafe owner speaks out after bottle sparklers ignite ‘devastating’ fire
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A “devastating” fire at Mamajuana Cafe has shut down the restaurant for nearly two weeks.
The fire broke out at the restaurant’s tiki hut, causing dozens of people to evacuate on a busy Saturday night, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said.
“It was like my worst nightmare; I thought I was in a movie,” Mamajuana Cafe owner Miguel Guzman said.
WATCH: Bottle sparklers ignite ‘devastating’ fire at popular Tampa tiki restaurant
Fire rescue officials said a server who was carrying a sparkler in an “innocent celebration” accidentally lit part of the tiki hut on fire when she raised her hand above her head.
Surveillance footage released on Tuesday shows an employee trying to put out the flames, but the fire spread too quickly.
“The front of the house was fully packed, the club had just opened up, my staff literally had seconds.”
Guzman said his manager evacuated everyone inside, and no one faced any injuries.
The tiki hut was demolished Wednesday morning. Guzman said it was an important step in reopening the restaurant.
When the business reopens, he said sparklers won’t be included in customer celebrations.
“We are going to buy 20 to 25 LED lights to be able to give the same concept but just nothing with flames,” he said.
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