Businesses in Torquay thankful for community support following devastating fire in Gilbert St

Businesses have revealed the full extent of damages following a devastating fire which ripped through a popular arcade in Torquay.

Silver and Sea owner Sabrina Kingsley outside the burnt remains of her Torquay shop. Picture: Alison Wynd

Torquay businesses have spoken of the fallout of a devastating blaze that destroyed six shops at the Gilbert St arcade.

On Sunday night about 60 firefighters worked over three hours to battle a blaze which ripped through the McCartney Real Estate, wool and fabric shop Looop, and Italo’s Wood Fired Pizza, Silver and Sea jewellery store, Romy Photography studio and Imelda’s Boutique.

Sabrina Kingsley has owned and operated the Silver and Sea Jewellery store for 24 years and said she was in “disbelief” following the fire.

“The whole arcade will be demolished, it will be all gone which is really sad because it had a beautiful ambience to it,” she said.

“I’ve never not loved it, it’s just a beautiful place to work everyday so to see it gone now is just a mess.

“It’s all glass and charred remains and it’s really depressing to see all the shops there gone,” she said.

Ms Kingsley said she’s been overwhelmed with the community response since the fire.

“They all want to help me get back on my feet again,” she said.

The remains of Silver and Sea Torquay. Picture: Supplied

“They just said ‘we can’t wait to see you up and running again and to support you,’” she said.

Romy Roache owns Romy Photography and said the realisation that her business was gone was now sinking in.

“There is lots of water damage and fire damage,” Ms Roache said.

“Nothing really could be salvaged to sell as such to the public, there was really nothing to survive from it, it’s really sort of starting from scratch again.

“Luckily my camera was at home and my hard drive was at home.

“I didn’t see this one coming, but I think the passion will keep driving me because I just love being by the ocean and sharing what I capture.

“Going forward you just have to see what opens I think.”

General Manager of community life at the Surf Coast Shire, Damian Waight, said his thoughts were with those impacted by the fire.

“Investigations into the fire are ongoing, which includes engineering and structural

assessments which will help determine the future of the structures seriously damaged

in the fire.”

The Country Fire Authority said the fire was non-suspicious and they were continuing to investigate the source, however, investigations would take some time because of the extent of the damage.

Originally published as Businesses in Torquay thankful for community support following devastating fire in Gilbert St