Fire and Rescue NSW battle blaze at Anchors Wharf restaurant in Urunga
The beloved restaurant narrowly avoided destruction on Monday night but early estimates suggest damage bill could top $250,000
Coffs Harbour
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Anchors Wharf in Urunga has been left with a huge damage bill after a firefighters battled to extinguish a blaze at the waterfront restaurant on Monday night.
The fire broke out about 6.30pm with huge plumes of smoke billowing out of the building which sits on banks of the Kalang river.
The restaurant has been owned by Denise and Steve Ryan for more than 20 years and remains one of the most popular on the coast. There was an enormous response from the community as the news quickly spread via social media that the building was on fire.
On Tuesday morning NSW Police revealed a crime scene had been established and they were investigating the cause of the blaze which they said caused damage estimated at more than $250,000.
Anyone with information is asked to call Coffs Harbour Police or Crime Stoppers.
North Coast Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Tony Lenthall said the fire is believed to have started on the ground floor and spread quickly before members of the Urunga brigade, who were first on the scene, could enter the property and locate the source of the smoke.
“There was large volumes of smoke issuing from the building when they arrived and some flames were out the window,” he said.
“Crews have worked very hard under strenuous conditions to knock this fire down very quickly and search the building to ensure ensure that everyone was safe.”
More than 40 firefighters from stations between Nambucca Heads and Coffs Harbour were on the scene by the time the fire was extinguished.
Mr Lenthall said there was real potential for the entire building to be destroyed but the swift actions of firefighters meant the ground floor had sustained “substantial damage” from fire, heat and smoke.
“The fire could have spread very quickly within this building, the contents inside this building would be very flammable being a kitchen and restaurant area,” he said.
“So firefighters have done an excellent job in knocking this fire down very quickly and saving the remainder of the building.”
The upper level – which contained a private residence – remained intact and two people self-evacuated and were assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
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