By LATISHA R. GRAY and SCOTT CARROLL

Correction: Saturday’s fire at Tropitone Furniture Company damaged an employee lunchroom and administrative offices in an annex building. The manufacturing plant was not damaged. Business will resume as usual on Monday, company officials said.


MANATEE COUNTY — A Saturday fire destroyed the manufacturing plant of Tropitone Furniture Co., where some 200 local employees produced outdoor furniture known nationally for its stylishness and durability.

The fire at 1305 Commerce Blvd. started about 4 p.m. during a violent thunderstorm. No one was working in the plant at the time; authorities said the fire was likely sparked by lightning. No injuries were reported.

“There are lots of chemicals in the building, so it went up really quickly,” said Manatee County Fire Battalion Chief Rick Blanco.

The roughly 10,000-square-foot building did not have a sprinkler system, but an internal fire alarm alerted emergency officials, Blanco said. About half of the roof in the plant collapsed, he said, adding that a house fire at University Park Country Club — also likely started by lightning — slightly delayed their response.

That fire was extinguished quickly and no one was injured, Blanco said.

Tropitone was founded in 1954 by Bert M. Baker, a former furniture maker and aircraft engineer who had moved to Sarasota to retire. Baker got bored with retirement and bought the Sarasota Redwood Furniture Company. He used his background in furniture and engineering to produce welded aluminum outdoor furniture, and renamed the company Tropitone.

Today, the company is based in Irvine, Calif., employs about 600 people nationally and has annual sales topping $75 million.

Company officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Peter Straw, executive director of the Sarasota and Manatee Area Manufacturing Association, said the destruction of the plant would have an economic ripple effect on the local companies Tropitone bought supplies from.

Straw also said that, given the business climate in the area and other states’ aggressive pursuit of manufacturers with tax breaks and other incentives, Tropitone could consider rebuilding elsewhere.

“We have situations that almost force companies to leave the state,” Straw said.

Straw, who said he owns Tropitone patio furniture that is more than 20 years old and is still in good shape, said he is sure the company will bounce back.

“There are lots of other players in that industry, but none with the longevity and history of Tropitone,” Straw said. “The durability of their product speaks to durability of the company.”

The burnt buildings were not the only damage apparently wrought by Saturday’s storm, which moved into the area about 3 p.m.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Ruskin said about 4 inches of rain were dumped in the area.

Sarasota police blocked several streets due to flooding. U.S. 301 near 6th Street flooded and residents in Newtown Estates reported standing water.

Several drivers near the intersections of U.S. 41 and University Parkway and U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road were stranded after their cars stalled.

No injuries were reported.

About 2,000 Florida Power & Light customers in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties reported losing power.

FPL officials said they had outages around the state, but expected the power to be restored locally by Saturday night.

A boater in Whitaker Bayou and another one off of Anna Maria Island called police after they were stranded. Both boaters were safely taken to shore. In one rescue, however, a Sarasota County firefighter slipped and broke his hand.

Officials in Charlotte County said they did not experience many flooding problems, but they did respond to a few lightning strikes. There were no reports of injuries or property damage.

Last modified: July 22. 2014 4:59AM