Couples scramble for new wedding venue after massive Woolloongabba fire
Couples have been left scrambling to rearrange wedding plans after a popular venue was destroyed in a massive blaze in inner Brisbane on Wednesday.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Desperate couples have been left scrambling for new venues and a bride-to-be’s dreams of walking down the aisle next month shattered after a blaze gutted a heritage-listed building in Woolloongabba on Wednesday.
The Lussh’s 100-year-old venue and two neighbouring buildings were destroyed by the fire, which initially started in an abandoned Hubert St building at 4.20pm.
Queensland Fire Department Acting Chief Superintendent Steve Bates said the abandoned building was gutted, causing some of it to collapse, with serious damage to the roof of another building.
Flames then spread to the warehouse wedding venue, causing its roof to collapse.
Madison Sullivan was one of many brides whose wedding plans have been left in limbo.
Her wedding to Nathan Crawford, her partner of five and a half years was set for October 26.
“It is just so disappointing. I have envisioned the wedding. I had envisioned myself walking down the aisle there,” Ms Sullivan said.
“We haven’t heard from The Lussh directly, just the post that was put out to Instagram,” Mr Crawford explained.
“It is very bad for us but at the end of the day, three buildings were destroyed – that is what takes precedence right now.
“It has only been 24 hours so we didn’t expect them to reach out anytime soon.”
The hunt is now on to find a last-minute venue to cater to the 105-person guest list.
“My maid of honour has been going above and beyond. She has been calling vendors non-stop today,” Ms Sullivan said.
“Nathan’s groomsmen have been trying to stay positive and supportive. They went to try on suits today – everybody is just trying to stay optimistic.”
Ms Sullivan said regardless of what happened, she and Mr Crawford just wanted to be married.
“It doesn’t change the ultimate goal – we just want to be married. That is what we try to remind ourselves,” she said.
The Lussh posted an update on its social media channels following the fire.
“Well, this sucks. Our hearts go out to our Woolloongabba community and all those affected by the fire that broke out from a neighbouring building earlier today,” the post read.
“While this isn’t anything any of us could have ever predicted, our years in the events industry have prepared us to handle just about anything.
“We have a backup and are busily pulling things together behind the scenes. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we prioritise reaching out to events booked in the coming days and weeks.”
Police conducted welfare checks on those who were known to sleep rough in the area after the blaze was contained at 9.15pm on Wednesday.
Superintendent Bates said the fire was accelerated by multiple mattresses inside an abandoned building, causing it to spread to two other structures.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation and one man remains in hospital.
Originally published as Couples scramble for new wedding venue after massive Woolloongabba fire
‘She was raped, I was conceived’: Layne Beachley’s secret torment
For surf legend Layne Beachley, becoming the best in the world became an unhealthy obsession as she wrestled with dark secrets from her past.
Teen fighting for life after horror rollover, Moggill Rd closed
A teen is fighting for life, while a woman has suffered a serious injury after a multi-vehicle crash involving a rollover in a south-western suburb of Brisbane.