Fire In Historic Ft. Lauderdale Building

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Firefighters battled flames and smoke on the first story of a historic home in Ft. Lauderdale.

Just after 4:30 a.m., Ft. Lauderdale Fire Rescue received a call about smoke coming from the two-story Gilliam House at 11 SW 15th Street.

Arriving firefighters forced their way into the building and found smoke throughout the structure and fire on the first floor. They quickly put it out and then checked the second floor which had smoke damage but not fire. The first floor had moderate to heavy fire and smoke damage.

The home was built by Samuel W. Gilliam who was the treasurer-manager of the Everglades Lumber Company and a leader in the local Republican Party.

The Gilliam House, a Florida Mission style structure, was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

The features high ceilings, tiger oak floors and trim. The mahogany interior doors have unique inlaid contrasting wood detail. The original kitchen, including the sink, is intact. It is one of the finer houses built in the area during the 1920s land boom still standing.

The house was boarded up and scheduled for demolition in the early 1990s. Developer Jack Loos wanted to build an office building on the original site of the house on 300 South East 9th Street. He offered the house for free to anyone who would move it. Jay and Jaimee Adams paid to have the structure moved and renovated. The house is now used as professional offices.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported.