Investigators with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office descended upon the Pilot House Restaurant & Marina in the early morning of March 6 to find a shattered glass door. Inside, they found a carpet behind the door that was doused in gasoline.
Smells of propane also filled the air, which drew response from the Key Largo Fire Department.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay said investigators are working to figure out who damaged and tried to set fire to the restaurant, located at 13 Seagate Blvd. in Key Largo early Wednesday morning. Ramsay said it’s believed to be a disgruntled ex-employee. A criminal investigation is ongoing.
A neighbor next to the restaurant reported hearing a loud banging around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A report to the sheriff’s office at 7:40 a.m. brought investigators to the scene; yellow tape sectioned off the restaurant as they sifted for evidence.
State and county fire marshals were also called to the scene.
Pilot House Restaurant & Marina was closed for the day due to the incident.
