NSW Police charge four after fires at Curly Lewis Brewing Company, Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Bondi

Detectives are investigating whether a Bondi brewery was mistakenly set alight by arsonists intending to torch a nearby kosher restaurant, which was ignited three days later.

Police arrest one of the two men subsequently charged on Tuesday. Picture: NSW Police

Detectives are investigating whether a Bondi brewery was mistakenly set alight by arsonists intending to torch a nearby kosher restaurant, which was ignited three days later.

Police allege two men poured accelerant under the front door of the Curly Lewis Brewing Company before lighting it and fleeing about 2am on October 17 last year.

The fire self-extinguished but caused significant damage to the business on Campbell Parade, from which two men, disguised and armed with a sledgehammer, had fled after being spotted by a security guard two days earlier.

Another blaze broke out in Bondi about 4.10am on October 20, 2024, when the Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, less than a kilometre away, was set alight.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which forced the evacuation of residents but did not result in any injuries.

The scene at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in October 2024. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

While police said investigations into the motives behind the blazes were ongoing, sources told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday that detectives were looking at whether the brewery was caught up in a case of mistaken identity.

Their comments followed police revealing two more men had been arrested in connection with the incidents, joining two already charged last year.

Police at the scene at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen after the fire. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

A 31-year-old man was arrested in Jannali on October 18 and charged over the brewery fire with destroying or damaging property by fire in company, and possessing a prohibited drug.

A second man, 37, was arrested at a prison on December 12 in relation to the same blaze and charged with destroying or damaging property by fire in company.

Detectives attached to Strike Force Pearl swooped again on Tuesday, arresting two more men.

A 40-year-old man was arrested at Riverstone Police Station about 8am and charged over the cafe fire with damaging property by fire or explosion.

He was further charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction and, in relation to the October 15 incident, with having his face blackened or disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence and driving a stolen vehicle.

Just 15 minutes later, police arrested a 26-year-old man was arrested at a home in Bardia.

He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction along with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence on October 15.

All four men remain before the courts.