The evening of June 7 turned smoky for visitors at the Blue Water Beach Club.
The motel, 6306 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, experienced an electrical malfunction, which caused a fire near the main electrical panel in the resort’s mechanical room, said manager Sebastian Mueller.
Mueller said the fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. Only the mechanical room was damaged, although some guests reported smoke in their rooms.
Guests were moved to the nearby Harrington House Bed & Breakfast, 5626 Gulf Drive, for the night.
“I’m not taking any chances,” Mueller said. “I’m not taking any guests until the electrical panel is repaired and inspected.”
Mueller hired United Electric to inspect the wiring and complete repairs.
“We were very impressed with everyone responding to the fire,” said Mel Williams, a visitor from Michigan staying with his wife at the motel when the fire broke out.
In a message to The Islander, Williams thanked everyone who responded to the fire, including the Holmes Beach Police Department, West Manatee Fire Rescue and the staffs of the Blue Water Beach Club and Harrington House.
Mueller said he expected it to be several days — approximately June 20 — before the Blue Water Beach Club reopens to guests.
— Kristin Swain