Fire destroys Peats Bite restaurant at Berowra Waters
Fire crews are scouring through the rubble of an iconic 40-year-old waterside restaurant ravaged by fire overnight to determine what sparked the blaze.
NSW
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Fire crews are scouring the rubble of an iconic family-owned waterfront restaurant which was destroyed in a massive blaze on the Hawkesbury River.
The inferno broke out at the Peats Bite restaurant at Berowra Waters just after 7.30pm on Tuesday, sending smoke billowing into the air.
Firefighters were forced to bring in boat brigades to battle the blaze as it began spreading to nearby bushland.
Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd said more than 50 firefighters battled the blaze for two hours before it was extinguished around 10pm.
“The brigades were ferrying firefighters from a nearby reserve but the boats were attached to the wharf nearby to attach the pumps to the water so there were numerous trips conducted over the evening,” Insp Shepherd said.
Despite firefighters’ best efforts, the building, first established in 1982, was destroyed, with only the smouldering remains of the wreckage left behind. The nearby accommodation was saved.
“It will take fire investigators some time to work through the rubble and try to figure out where it came from”.
Inspector Shepherd said the local community was reeling from the news.
“I think with many people looking to actually return to the restaurants once we are out of lockdown, I think there was a real sense of loss”
Local community members went on social media to express their shock.
“Terrible news be safe Tanya, Geoff and all of the team that make this such a special place,” one comment read.
“So sad to see this. We had our honeymoon weekend there in 2007 and returned many times with the family,” another tribute said.
All residents have been accounted for and no one was injured in the fire.
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