Batemans Bay: ‘Baywaters’ motel reception building ‘engulfed’ in flames

A motel on the state’s south coast was ‘engulfed’ in flames on Sunday, resulting in some damage before emergency services were able to put out the blaze. The cause is not yet known.

The fire took out the reception of the motel 'Baywaters' on the south coast, with the owner thanking emergency services for their quick response.

A motel on the state’s south coast was ‘engulfed’ in flames on Sunday, resulting in some damage before emergency services were able to put out the blaze.

The fire, at ‘Baywaters’ motel on the corner of the Princes and Kings Hwy at Batemans Bay, began about 4pm on Sunday.

The motel owner – who asked for his name not to be published – said if it wasn’t for the quick response from Fire and Rescue, the blaze could have been “far worse”.

“We’re very lucky we didn’t sustain more damage,” he said. “We’re also lucky it was above reception (on the second floor) and not one of the guest rooms.”

The business, which overlooks the Clyde River and Batemans Bay’s CBD, consists of five separate buildings.

It is this layout which helped save the business and possibility lives on Sunday, according to a Fire and Rescue spokesman.

“The fire was contained to above the reception,” they said. “The guest rooms were not touched.”

The windy night could have led to a worse outcome, the spokesman said, however the “quick response” from the six fire trucks emergency service avoided the terrible fate.

“On arrival, we saw a double story building with flames engulfing the top floor,” he said.

The spokesman said the fire was extinguished about 5.30pm, about an hour after they received the first call.

Guests will be allowed to return to the motel “within days”, once Fire and Rescue have finalised works at the site. Investigations into the cause of the blaze are ongoing.