‘Mini tornado’ blows off roof at Officers Mess in New Farm

Clean-up efforts are in full swing at a popular New Farm venue that lost its roof in a major storm on Friday.

One hundred people have been lucky to escape after a roof was blown off a popular venue in New Farm.

Eyewitnesses described the incident as a ‘mini-tornado’ with the roof ripped from one side of the building to the other.

It is understood the river side of the roof collapsed with the wind pushing more debris over the front of the building towards Oxlade Drive.

Manager on the scene Ashley Tawera on Saturday praised the heroic efforts of the staff on duty.

Storm damage at the Officer's Mess on the river at New Farm. Picture: Vishaak Gangasandra

“We pulled all the guests inside because when I checked the radar, there was a storm coming,” Mr Tawera said.

“We had maybe two minutes of rain and we got ... probably the strongest gust of wind I’ve ever felt.”

“Everything came flying in towards the bar and then the roof started to peel from the corner and it just ripped straight off.”

There were a number of children in the area where the roof collapsed.

“It was just a big panic for everyone trying to make sure everyone’s safe, grabbing the kids,” he said.

“We were so lucky that no one was injured.”

Fortunately for the staff, police arrived within five minutes and guided guests to safety. With power cut to the venue, all food and consumables in the freezers went to waste.

Storm clean-up at the Officer's Mess on the river at New Farm. Picture: Vishaak Gangasandra

Speaking at the scene on Friday night, Senior Sergeant Matt McQuaid said emergency services were called to reports of a roof collapse about 7.50.

One person was assessed by QAS paramedics.

“At that time, approximately 100 people were inside the building and my understanding is that the roof has collapsed of a exterior part of the building, and also part of the roof has flown over the building into the front car park,” he said.

Sgt McQuaid said no one was injured but there may have been some minor injuries when evacuating.

A car could be seen trapped under the wreckage where the roof has flown over to the other side.

“Huge relief, when we were heading towards the job emergency services were very concerned so it’s a great relief.”

The venue hopes to open for functions Storm clean-up at the Officer's Mess on the river at New Farm. Picture: Vishaak Gangasandra

Sgt McQuaid said there had been a sit-down meal in progress and the incident “happened very quickly.”

The heritage-listed building was built in the 1940s.

Working quickly on Saturday morning, crews cleared the approximately 400sq m of fallen roofs and debris by midday.

Officers Mess in New Farm was subject to what some described as a “mini tornado” where the roof was blown off from one side of the building to the other.

Plans to rebuild and reopen are already under way.

“Everyone’s here trying to digest what happens next,” said wwner Will Griffin.

“We had a huge function planned tomorrow for Australia Day [for 120 people].”

Whilst unable to comment on what will happen to staff, Mr Griffin hopes to reopen the adjacent events space from Monday February 3.

He said it would take longer to rebuild the bar and restaurant area.

“We will be doing everything we can to be back open and trading to support the community which is what we do,” said venue manager Alex Sey.

100 people have been lucky to escape after a roof was blown off the Officers Mess at New Farm. Picture: Mikaela Mulveney

While most who were inside the building had cleared out, Perry Prineas and his friends went next door to the bowls club to continue enjoying their Friday night out.

However, they said once the storm hit everything happened very quickly.

“We were sort of moving back in (undercover) because the rain was coming in but then the wind picked up super quickly and basically picked up the roof, then dropped it back over where people were standing at the bar,” Mr Prineas said.

“It was crazy.”

A car spotted after the roof collapsed. Picture: Mikaela Mulveney

He went on to say as soon as they realised it had happened, the storm was gone.

“It was pretty crazy nobody was hurt because it legit came down on top of everyone.”

Holly Wildermuth and Charlotte Keddy were celebrating a friends birthday when the violent storm hit.

“The storm just rolled in really quickly and everyone started running to the inside,” Ms Keddy said.

“And then all of a sudden you hear this massive crash and the whole roof came and concaved down.”

“I thought when I saw the whole roof come down, I thought which way do we run, towards the river or out to the carpark.”

Ms Wildermuth said it was “very scary”.

“We thought we’ve come from (no) cover into the cover, and then the covers gone,” she said.

“And you’ve got 50 people crowded in one tiny little foyer scared for their lives,” Ms Keddy echoed.

100 people have been lucky to escape after a roof was blown off the Officers Mess at New Farm. Picture: Mikaela Mulveney

There were also children inside according to Ms Wildermuth.

Both girls recalled there were minor injuries with shattered glass and blood on the ground.

“They were picking glass out of someone’s calf, someone had a gash to the head,” Ms Keddy said.

“We were very lucky,” Ms Wildermuth added.

It is understood Officers Mess has only been open approximately six months.

There were multiple police cars on scene as well as Energex Crews with multiple trees down in the area.

However, by 9:30pm emergency crews had cleared out, but red tapped lined the event space with locals coming down to witness the damage.