Key Biscayne's Oasis Cafe Ravaged by Overnight Fire UPDATED

Update: According to its Facebook page, Oasis Café is trying to reopen as early as tomorrow:

"As most of you have already heard, Oasis Cafe suffered extensive damage due to a fire early this morning. These types of incidents test the heart and spirit of our community and organization and at the end it leaves our restaurant group with a stronger purpose to get up in the morning.

We thank everyone in our community and in the village council that has shown support and have sent out messages of solidarity. Luckily, nobody was hurt during the fire and it was efficiently controlled by the fire department.

We are doing our best to open up the new Oasis for service tomorrow morning. We will keep you updated. Thanks again."

For nearly five decades, Key Biscayne's Oasis Café has served as the place to get a cup of coffee and conversation. Today the restaurant is closed after a fire raged through the building late last night.

As reported by the village's Islander News,  firefighters responded to a 911 call received at 12:34 this morning after a passerby noticed a fire at the iconic coffee spot.

Key Biscayne Fire Rescue Chief Eric Lang told New Times that both Key Biscayne and City of Miami units responded to the call. Upon arrival, firefighters could see fire on the east side of the building. They were able to identify the location of the fire, extinguish it, and gain access to the building. According to Lang, the restaurant was vacant, and there were no injuries.

Chief Lang also responded to the call, along with city and state fire marshals. The cause of the fire was deemed electrical. Per Lang, the fire marshal and state investigators determined the origin of the fire and will continue investigating. Lang also met with Oasis Café's owners.
According to Lang, Oasis Café was in the process of renovation, and the damage was located in the old part of the structure. The new addition was unscathed. "We estimated the loss between $80,000 to $100,000." Lang said it was up to the owners whether plans are to remodel or tear down the structure.

The restaurant's phone is currently out of order, and the restaurant remains closed.

A longtime resident of Key Biscayne, Lang shared that Oasis Café was much more than simply a place to grab a snack. "I've been on the Key for a long time, and I don't remember the Oasis not ever being there.

The fire chief has fond memories of Oasis Café. "I remember the first cup of coffee and the first croqueta I had there. Whether it was a casual connection or to discuss local politics, it's an iconic Key Biscayne spot."

Asked what makes Oasis Café so special, the chief said it was the sense of community the café provided. "Local residents would be drawn there. People would start their day there. When you lose something like that, it's changed the community. I think it's a change they're going to miss."