Fire Damages Popular Boulevard Restaurant

The Marco Island Fire Rescue Department (MIFR) was dispatched on January 4, 2022 at approximately 5 PM for an alarm of fire at the Boulevard Restaurant at 1000 North Collier Boulevard. MIFR was assisted by the Greater Naples Fire Rescue Department as part of a mutual aid agreement between the two agencies.

Upon arrival, MIFR found restaurant staff in the process of evacuating customers and the department began a thorough inspection of the facility. Personnel on the scene determined that the source of the fire was above the ceiling, in the attic area.

“This was a difficult location to make egress into,” said Operations Chief David Batiato, who was on the scene with Fire Chief Chris Byrne. Try as they may to avoid breaching the roof, it eventually became necessary in order to reach the source of the fire. MIFR Fire Marshall John Harris is investigating the cause of the blaze.

“We really do our best to minimize damage to any structure, but it often becomes a necessity in an effort to access into difficult locations to ensure the fire is completely out and there are not opportunities for it to have a rekindle, therefore causing more potential damage,” said Batiato.

Personnel were on scene until approximately 8 PM, as they continued to investigate. The next day, inspectors returned to the restaurant to follow up.

It is unknown when the Boulevard Restaurant will be open again for business. The restaurant is working with their insurance provider and contractors to move as quickly as they can to reopen.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.