911 calls reveal chaos as fire burned through Fort Lauderdale outdoor venue Backyard, spread to PoorHouse bar

Newly released 911 calls reveal the chaotic moments as a fire burned through a Fort Lauderdale outdoor venue and spread to a nearby bar. The fire started at the popular outdoor venue Backyard, then spread to the PoorHouse bar nearby early Monday morning. Backyard s on fire. Backyard s on fire. I m at the bar next door and I have to call my bosses and let them know their business is about to be on fire. said one caller. Tell them to send all the fire trucks. its a big fire. it s engulfed. said another caller. The Backyard establishment was empty when the fire started, but the Poorhouse bar was open and full of customers. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews immediately got them to safety. “The first priority was getting all of them out of the business,” said FLFR Chief Stephen W. Gollan. Firefighters knocked out the fire in half an hour. We gotta go fire next door. fire next door. Everybody get out. everybody get out. said a firefighter in a 911 call. 7 D