'Nothing suspicious' found so far in laundry, consignment shops fire, state inspectors say
VERO BEACH — State fire officials said they’ve found nothing suspicious so far in their investigation into the blaze that enveloped a 45-year-old building 10 days ago, destroying a laundromat and consignment shop.
The business owners, who between them share 26 years renting the store space and operating their businesses on 21st Street, each said they were left in a whirlwind of uncertainty while the roughly nine people they employed face loss of income or joblessness.
Vero Beach Laundry & Cleaners and Kidz Closet caught fire shortly after 9 p.m. May 17. As firefighters worked into early Wednesday to extinguish the blaze, they ultimately determined both businesses are a total loss. The shops were in a small plaza west of the Miracle Mile area situated near a bend in U.S.1.
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For two days following the fire, Indian River County Fire Rescue and state fire officials picked through the rubble of the gutted building that spewed ashes and charred remnants across homes and condos on neighboring streets.
Indian River County Fire Rescue Bureau Chief Richard Marini said it could be days or weeks before the state completes its investigation and returns its findings to the county.
“There is nothing suspicious at this time,” said Ryan Walker, spokesperson with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Florida Department of Financial Services, which oversees the state fire division. “The case is still open, and the investigation is ongoing.”
A county fire official said last week a utility company inspection had ruled out any possible gas leak, or gas-related explosion.
Vero Beach Laundry & Cleaners
The single-story building, 810 21st St., was built in 1977 for $85,000. The latest county records show an appraisal estimate at $323,404.
At 5,160 square feet, it was divided into two parts, housing since at least 1987 a laundromat in just under 1,500 square feet with a designated retail store space allotted to just under 2,500, according to construction details.
The building was last inspected by the county April 9, 2020 and its next inspection was due in January 2023.
County tax records show James Killam, of Orlando, obtained the property in 2002 from Luther Killam, who owned it since its construction. James Killam declined comment this week.
Tim Methven, owner of Vero Beach Laundry & Cleaners, said he’s owned the business about seven years, but the business has been there since roughly 2011 when it was converted from a laundromat to a laundry service.
He said it employs roughly five to six people at different times of the year.
“We’re all kind of spinning,” said Methven.
Since the fire, he said the process has been a whirlwind, as he faces unemployment and the prospect of getting a job.
As far as reopening the busines, he said, “It’s being thought of.”
Kidz Closet
The consignment shop opened around 2007 at 812 21st St., which, since 2008, also housed Kidz Closet Charities, said volunteer Jennifer Rinella.
“That business was run primarily to employ a couple of people in the community. After 75 days, if any items were not sold, the items would go to Kidz Closet Charities,” said Rinella.
The charity, she said, was established “to create closets in each of the schools in our community” designed to stock goods like clothing and educational items for students in need.
School employees at Sebastian Elementary and Indian River Academy in years past said they had received items for students from Kidz Closet, said Cristen Maddux, spokesperson for the School District of Indian River County
Rinella said she was asked to speak on behalf of the business by her longtime friend and business owner, Susan Zack-Medlin.
A GoFundMe account was created by another volunteer, Misty Harp, for nonprofits run by Medlin, including Kidz Closet Charities and Pigs & Pals Farm Rescue, Inc. of Fellsmere. As of Friday, $2,415 had been raised toward a $50,000 goal.
Rinella said although she no longer works in insurance, it gave her an inside perspective into the industry.
“There are a lot of things that are not going to be covered by insurance,” she said. "There's a fight ... even for them to send a check to assist."
The store van, which was parked behind the building and also burned, she said, was full of donation items.
“The keys were in the building, but (Susan) wasn’t allowed (inside),” Rinella said. “She was ready to run into the building, fire ablaze, that’s just the way that Susan is.”
Rinella said the GoFundMe effort is the best way to help the store and the charity rebuild.
“Right now, our main focus is going to be on Kidz Closet Charities,” she said. “The No. 1 priority is making sure that we continue, not just through donations, but also the money needed to continue, knowing that 100 percent of all donations goes directly to the nonprofits.”
“I don’t know how else to implore and beg the community to please, please help.”
Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vero Beach fire: 'Nothing suspicious' found so far
