Burger Time 69 West End devastated by neighbour’s ram-raid and fire

A West End burger shop owner fears he might lose everything, after a neighbouring shop was ramraided and set on fire last week, after opening just two months ago.

The brand new owner of a beloved West End burger shop, who moved to Queensland just two months ago putting his every penny into his new dream, has been devastated after the business next door was ramraided and torched, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Burger Time 69 owner Nathan Ghanbari, woke to hear that the business next door on Boundary St in West End been driven into by a ute and set on fire, last Wednesday night.

Police at the scene after a ute was ram raided into West End business Shisha Bar then set it on fire, Boundary St, West End. Picture: Molly Snaylam

Mr Ghanbari said he purchased the business two months prior after moving from Melbourne.

“I didn’t know a single person in Queensland and put every penny I had into making this a success,” Mr Ghanbari said.

“I want to know why people are putting bombs into cars and blowing them up in Brisbane.”

Mr Ghanbari said the loss he had suffered was thousands of dollars, the possibility of losing his staff and the deterioration of his emotional and physical health.

“What has happened is disgusting and should not be happening in Australia,” Mr Ghanbari said.

“The day before the incident I replenished the entire stores stock that was thousands and now the restaurant is inaccessible until the severe smoke and water damage is cleaned up.

“Our level of insurance cover doesn’t secure us against this situation and have advised us that the neighbouring insurance should cover our losses and expenses, however they are uninsured which leaves us in a stand alone position.”

Burger Time 69 was purchased by new owner Nathan Ghanbari just two months ago.

Mr Ghanbari said he was horrified after watching footage of the incident.

“People don’t realise the flow on effects from this, of course I am put out thousands of dollars that I can’t afford but I also have to keep my staff looked after,” Mr Ghanbari said.

“The suppliers and everyone else involved is also at a major loss.

“People said starting a business would difficult but I never imagined something like this.

“It is so unfair.”

Burger Time 69 has started a GoFundMe page to support them during this “nightmare”.

Mr Ghanbari said the loss he had suffered was thousands of dollars, the possibility of losing his staff and the deterioration of his emotional and physical health.

“Without your help, we will lose the great team we all love, and will put the business in dire stress trying to reopen with a resupply of stock and repairs while not losing our team, potentially unable to start up again so soon a second time,” Mr Ghanbari said.

Mr Ghanbari said he was overwhelmed with the support given to him by the West End community and fellow businesses.

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