Fire that destroyed Sunny’s Shop and Mr Chan restaurants at Prospect wasn’t arson, investigation finds

A probe into a blaze that gutted two popular Prospect restaurants in a historic building has finished – while the owner has plans for the future.

Investigators have ruled out arson as the cause of a fire that destroyed two popular Prospect restaurants last week.

Fire-cause investigators this week concluded their assessment into the blaze that gutted Sunny’s Shop Asian Street Food and Mr Chan at Rosemont Hall in the early hours of Thursday, September 16.

Rosemont Hall, home to Mr Chan’s and Sunny’s Shop, was gutted in the blaze. Picture: SA Police

Investigations into the blaze concluded nearly a week after the fire/ Picture: SA Police

“The investigation into the cause of the fire has found that the fire is believed to be accidental, although the exact cause of the accidental fire is unknown due to the extent of damage,” an MFS spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

“Work is continuing to remove debris in an attempt to save the heritage building.”

Flames tore through the historic Rosemont Building-based eateries before fire crews contained the fire about 6.30am Thursday.

Sunny's Shop/ Rosemont Building fire on Prospect Road. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Fire cause investigators made multiple attempts to enter the building in the hours after the incident but were stopped over fears the building would collapse.

Aaron Ratanatray. Picture: Roy Vandervegt

The owner of the restaurants, Aaron Ratanatray, took to social media on the day of the blaze, thanking fire crews for their efforts.

In the days after the incident, he described his thanks for the outpouring of support from community members – many of whom have left bunches of flowers at the gutted venues.

Mr Ratanatray mentioned discussions with the local council to continue preparing and selling meals from another site, with more information to come to light soon.

The Prospect Rd venue, Sunny’s Shop opened in 2016, and was expanded to a double restaurant, Mr Chan, about a year later within Rosemont Hall.