An early morning fire that heavily damaged a Temple Terrace business is serving as another reminder that small businesses should prepare for unexpected disruptions, whether caused by fire, severe weather or other emergencies.
Why it matters: Fires can force businesses to close for days or months, disrupting operations, employees and customers. Recovery often depends on having insurance, backup records and a continuity plan in place before disaster strikes.
Temple Terrace Fire Department crews responded just before 4 a.m. Wednesday to Brow and Lash at 12108 N. 56th St. after a Hillsborough County deputy spotted heavy smoke coming from a second-floor window.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 20 minutes, but officials said the fire caused significant damage to the business and an upstairs storage area.
There were no injuries.
The Florida State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating after the fire was classified as suspicious. The building remains closed while the investigation continues.
Resilience takeaway for businesses:
- Back up critical business records and customer information off-site or in the cloud.
- Review insurance coverage for fire, smoke and business interruption.
- Test fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency evacuation plans.
- Develop a continuity plan so operations can resume more quickly after an emergency.
Bottom line: While investigators determine what caused the Temple Terrace fire, the incident highlights how quickly an unexpected emergency can interrupt business operations. Planning for recovery before disaster strikes can help businesses reopen faster and reduce long-term financial impacts.
