Historic The Ranges Hotel destroyed as CFA crews bring pub fire under control

A LARGE BLAZE at a historic Gembrook pub has been brought under control, after an extensive fire fight. CFA crews will spend the morning determining the cause, as the owners vow to rebuild.

A LARGE blaze at a historic Gembrook pub has been brought under control, after an extensive fire fight this morning.

More than 50 firefighters spent the morning battling the out-of-control fire at The Ranges Hotel in the Dandenong Ranges, just after 6am.

Part of the heritage listed hotel on Main Rd was destroyed when the roof caved in, with the remainder of the property extensively damaged.

It’s understood nobody was inside the pub when the fire took hold and there are no reported injuries.

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The Ranges Hotel in Gembrook is ablaze. Picture: Jessa Stopford/ Facebook

Residents watch on as the fire intensifies. Picture: Jessa Stopford/ Facebook

Fire crews tackle the blaze from above. Picture: David Crosling

Hotel owners Colin and Andrea Nippers reopened their business about two years ago after an extensive renovation.

Both watched on as their historic pub was gutted by fire.

A CFA spokesman said they are devastated but intend to rebuild.

Kitchen hand Eliza, who did not provide a surname, said she was “devastated” for the owners, who dedicate “all their time” to the landmark pub.

“Colin is there all the time and looks after the employees. He doesn’t deserve this,” she said.

Locals told the Herald Sun the pub had been “struggling” with staffing and had recently advised for a new chef and kitchen hand workers.

Eliza said the pub had no “enemies”.

“There have been a few no good staff in the past but it’s always hard to find staff in a small town,” she said.

“I don’t think they have any enemies.”

She said staff are always thorough in checking appliances before closing up.

“I didn’t work yesterday but on Sunday I am generally one of the last people there. We do make sure everything is checked out and turned off.”

She believes the fire began in the kitchen area.

The CFA said the fire was brought under control at 8.17am.

RESIDENTS WAKE TO HORROR FIRE

Sharon Holcroft lives behind the pub and woke to the sound of the fire brigade sirens.

She said a section out the back of the pub looked to have been salvaged but the rest of the venue was destroyed.

“It’s pretty much all gone,” she said.

“The front is still standing, the outside is still looking OK but the roof is caved in, the kitchen area roof is completely smashed through.”

She said the pub had been closed for renovations for about 10 years before reopening in 2016.

The pub was well supported by Gembrook residents and tourists, she said.

The Ranges Hotel, Gembrook has been destroyed by fire. Photo supplied by Sharon Holcroft and Baden Tamasi.

“All the locals were really happy to see it reopen, so it’s devastating to see it go.”

She praised the work of fire crews who were able to contain it from spreading to neighbouring homes.

“We were just thankful there was no wind otherwise it might have been a different story,” she said.

The pub is over the road from Gembrook railway station — Puffing Billy’s last stop.

The Heritage Council of Victoria said the pub was built in 1894 and had heritage overlay protection.

Flames seen on the roof of the pub. Picture: Dean Johnson.

Firefighters at the scene. Picture: Dean Johnson.

Dean Johnson lives less than 100m from the pub and woke to see flames and large plumes of black smoke coming from the building.

“The fire appeared to have started from the back of the pub,” he said.

“There’s been flames coming out the front roof. And thick smoke coming out the centre. It’s not looking too flash.”

Mr Johnson said the pub was a popular spot for Gembrook residents and tourists.

“They rebuilt it probably two or three years back,” he said.

“They did it all up inside, made it into quite a magnificent pub — it’s a bit of heartbeat of the town I suppose. Hopefully the damage is not too bad.”

More than 50 firefighters are on the scene. Picture: David Crosling

The hotel is opposite the final train stop for tourist attraction Puffing Billy. . Picture: David Crosling

Resident Jess Stopford heard sirens on her way to work.

“I heard sirens at about 6:20am but didn’t think much of it really,” she said.

“I left for work and came to a roadblock and huge clouds of smoke pouring from the roof of the Gembrook pub!”

“Fire fighters already trying to fight the fire but it only seemed to be intensifying as more and more smoke billowed out from the entire roof top.”

“I did speak to a lady who’s husband is a firefighter at the pub and said the fire had started somewhere near the back left hand side of the pub as you look at it from the main street.”

A roadblock is in place on Main St between Redwood Rd and Station Rd.

Motorists are being urged to avoid the area if possible.

Firefighters watch on. Picture: David Crosling

Fire crews talk to people at the scene. Picture: David Crosling

Firefighters getting ready to battle the fire. Picture: David Crosling