Fire at Mosman’s Middle Harbour Yacht Club caused $500,000 damage and was suspicious

HUNDREDS of boats and a fuel storage area were threatened by a suspicious fire that ripped through a Sydney yacht club overnight, causing $500,000 in damage.

Daytime photos of the fire which caused approx $500 000 damage to the Middle Harbour Yacht Club. The fire appears to have started in the restaurant area and is being treated as suspicious and under investigation. Picture: ELENOR TEDENBORG

HUNDREDS of boats and a fuel storage area were threatened by a suspicious fire that ripped through a Sydney yacht club overnight, causing $500,000 in damage

The blaze occurred at the exclusive Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Lower Parriwi Rd at Mosman about 11pm.

No-one was inside the building at the time.

Emergency services were called to the scene to find the building well-alight and sending smoke billowing across the suburb.

The fire which ravaged the yacht club is believed to have started in the restaurant area. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

“We had multiple triple-0 calls coming in from worried residents who could see flames leaping through the roof,” Superintendent Ian Krimmer of Fire and Rescue NSW said.

“We were certainly concerned it would spread sideways and into the rest of the building and then into adjoining buildings.

“There was also the threat it would spread to the marina itself, where there are hundreds of boats moored as well as all the fuel storage associated with that.”

The fire is being treated as suspicious and is now under investigation. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

Locals and club members at the scene await news of the extent of the damage caused by the fire. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

Believed to have started in a restaurant on the premises, the fire spread to the ceiling and damaged a number of other rooms in neighbouring buildings.

Up to 45 firefighters attended the scene and were able to quickly contain the blaze with Fire and Rescue crews remaining on site overnight, as the fire continued to smoulder.

Investigations at the scene of the fire which caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

Supt Ian Krimmer said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

“Externally, there is limited damage. There is substantial damage in the kitchen and roof as well as water and smoke damage throughout the rest of the building,” he said.

“It is definitely devastating but it could have been a lot worse. It’s pretty amazing, considering all the risks.”

NSW Fire and Rescue attended a fire at a building which houses the Middle Harbour Yacht Club as well as an Italian restaurant. Picture: Chris McKeen

Middle Harbour Yacht Club manager Karen Baldwin was among a number of locals gathered at the scene and said it was a devastating event to witness.

“The club side of the building has all been protected, we haven’t lost any of our beautiful trophies. But the Cala Luna restaurant hasn’t fared as well.

“We still have no idea how long they will be closed but it’s going to be a while. There are some significant roof repairs that need to be done.

“We are working really closely with them to minimise the impact on their business.”

The Middle Harbour Yacht Club was significantly damaged by the fire. Picture: Chris McKeen

Ms Baldwin said the club was fortunate to have a lot of space to continue to operate.

“We have a wedding coming up in two weeks and we have already organised to move it into the club house room. We also have a regatta booked in that we’ve shifted to another bar.

“We are doing our best to manage the function side of things.

“Obviously we will reassure the people with existing bookings and give them all their options but if it’s not what they are expecting, they will still have the opportunity to change their mind.”

It is believed the damage bill will exceed $500,000. Picture: Chris McKeen