Fire destroys Isola Home 

Lori Lecker woke up on her 65th birthday to find the fire alarm going off at her Isola Home store on South 8th Street in Fernandina Beach.

Store manager Julie Burnett rushed to the location to see it had been engulfed in flames. 

The Fernandina Beach and Nassau County Fire Departments were on the scene of the structure fire and were able to contain the blaze. 

The Fernandina Beach Police Department closed off a section of 8th Street from Beech Street to Cedar Street for several hours while firefighters controlled the situation. 

“We are all in utter disbelief and pain as this store was almost 10 years of love, passion, hard work, faith and spirit,” Lecker said. 

Lecker said she has continued to receive several messages from Fernandina Beach residents and customers in the wake of the fire. 

“If we ever doubted the love and support of the community we now know how strong it is,” she said. 

The Fernandina Beach Fire Department in a press release Tuesday afternoon said FBPD and Nassau County Fire Rescue was dispatched at approximately 8:25 a.m. to a structure fire at 303 S. 8th Street.

"Fire crews arrived on scene to find a significant fire in progress, with heavy smoke and flames from the second story and the attic of the building," the release states. 

"Personnel immediately initiated an aggressive interior attack and primary search. Due to the specific construction type and deteriorating interior conditions, crews initially faced challenges locating and gaining entry to the seat of the fire." 

FBPD said three individuals required medical attention: One individual was treated on-scene for smoke inhalation and subsequently released; one bystander, who experienced a medical emergency unrelated to the fire, was treated and transported to a local facility; and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and transported to Baptist Medical Center Nassau for further evaluation and medical clearance.  

FBPD said the incident required a "high level of coordination and teamwork to manage a very dangerous fire environment." Nassau County Fire Rescue, The Fernandina Beach Police Department, and the Nassau County Sheriff's Office Drone Unit were all on the scene. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  

Isola Home was a boutique home store that had been part of the community for eight years. Lecker told the News-Leader the store was “developed, designed, and nurtured with love” from all associated with it.

“Today it was the most beautiful fire in Fernandina and we left it all on the table,” Lecker said.

In addition to Isola Home, Lecker owns the clothing stores Lori+Lulu, Pearl Boutique, and JJ Cooper on Centre Street.