When Crabby Jack's was destroyed by fire on Sunday, August 28th, local Deerfield Beach residents lamented the loss of the seafood shack/dive bar. An investigation was announced to find information leading to the cause of the two-alarm blaze that engulfed the establishment.
According to the Orlando Sentinel,
fire investigators learned of an eviction case against Crabby Jack's
owner Tanson Corp, which ended unsuccessfully in Broward Civil Court
this past Friday.
The landlord of the Rivertowne Square shopping center where Crabby
Jack's was located, Ramco-Gershenson sued to evict the restaurant, which
had been tenants for over 20 years, citing several months of
non-payment of rent and other bills. The landlord terminated the lease
agreement on May 19th. Andrew Schwartz, Crabby Jack's attorney, said
that the monies due were wired to the landlord on May 24th. The
eviction case was expected to go on trial in September.
State fire marshalls are gathering samples to test for traces of
accelerants or anything that could have triggered the blaze. They plan
to wrap up the inspection by this afternoon, but the investigation will
remain open. The shopping center landlord plans to conduct its own arson
investigation, according to its attorney, Eric J. Parlow.
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