VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Construction continues one year after a massive fire destroyed three businesses at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in 2023.
The three-alarm fire occurred on the 2600 block of Atlantic Avenue. Maple Tree Pancake House, The T-Shirt Factory and King of the Sea Restaurant were burned down. Another business was damaged.
One of the businesses destroyed by the July 11 fire, the Maple Tree Pancake House, stood on Atlantic Avenue for 42 years, and was known for their Swedish pancakes.
“I feel like the Maple Tree is like a person that some accident happened and passed away,” Maple Tree Pancake House owner Roula Lindroos said.
According to officials, the fire started around 5 p.m. Thick smoke could be seen for miles, as huge flames overtook the businesses.
It took more than 75 firefighters five hours to put the flames out. One firefighter was hurt as a result of the incident.
Fire officials believe the cause of the fire was accidental.
Vakos Development Company owns the property. In January, the CEO, Matthew Vakos, told 10 On Your Side the property would be rebuilt into a storefront. He anticipated it to be finished by May 2024.
The company told 10 On Your Side they are hoping to have the shell and exterior of the building by mid to late-August.
They went on to say “working with our contractors has been a bit slower due to our concern of the impact to the resort area and its guests. We did not want to have to close the sidewalks and right of way in the streets unless it was absolutely necessary.”
