PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – Tropical Storm Erika spared South Florida when it fizzled out, but don't tell that to Dr. Michael Surdis. Remnants from the storm may have cost Surdis his chiropractic business of 25 years.
His office caught fire when the remnants of Erika moved through the area last Saturday night. Investigators believe lightning could have been the culprit.
The fire started in a now-charred electrical panel in the rear of his office. It quickly spread, charring walls and even melting a flat-screen television. Three fish from a fish tank managed to avoid the flames.
Surdis had been operating in the building for a quarter of a century. Lucky for him, Surdis has insurance and great friends and patients who have already helped him open a temporary office next door.
"We are open and operational," Surdis told Local 10 News. "The mayor helped push inspections through for us and we're already seeing some patients. It is not going to be what it was, but the patients are happy that everybody's OK and we are able to serve the community again as we have for the last 25 years."
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