Nimbin fire destroys museum, Rainbow cafe and other buildings in main street

AUSTRALIA’S ‘drug capital’ has gone up in flames and locals are devastated by the loss of some its most iconic buildings.

Nimbin fire. Source: Screenshot from Facebook/Lismore Radio video

A FIRE in Nimbin has destroyed three buildings in the main street including a museum celebrating the town’s drug culture, and a cafe.

Police are treating the fire in Cullen St as “suspicious”, according to a media statement released this morning.

Locals were devastated to wake up to the news this morning that a large fire had destroyed three businesses in the town’s main street and damaged two others.

A Rural Fire Service spokesman told news.com.au that firefighters were called to the scene about 3.30am and it took 10 fire trucks from both the RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW to bring the blaze under control.

Nimbin fire. Source: Facebook/Lismore Radio video

Post by Lismore Radio.

Nimbin, located in northern NSW close to Bryon Bay, has become a tourist attraction because of its hippie lifestyle, and marijuana is sold openly in the streets.

The Nimbin Museum, which has housed a historical record of the town’s counterculture for more than 30 years, was one of the buildings destroyed. The neighbouring Rainbow cafe was also burnt to the ground.

Bringabong shop burnt in Nimbin fire. Source: Facebook/Lorraine Keen

Michael Balderstone, who has worked at the museum for 30 years, told ABC that the loss of the buildings would have a “huge impact” on the town.

“Its' really right in the middle of the town, the Rainbow’s probably the heart,” Mr Balderstone said.

“The museum’s the biggest tourist attraction. It’s a bloody mess.”

He told the Northern Star that the fire was believed to have started at the back of the cafe before spreading to the museum.

However, the RFS spokesman said officers were still investigating the cause.

A police media release said two buildings, both built in the 1920s, were destroyed and neighbouring buildings sustained damage.

“A crime scene has been established and specialist forensic investigators will be examining the site once it has been deemed safe to enter,” the statement said.

“The fire is being treated as suspicious.”

The blaze also destroyed shop Tribal Magic and half of the Bringabong shop before being brought under control.

It took 10 fire trucks to bring the fire under control. Source: Facebook/Lorraine Keen

People took to Facebook to post about the sad news.

One user said: “Omg that is a lot of history gone so sad”.

Another wrote: “The buildings may be gone, but my 46 years of memories will still remain”.

While another pointed out: “A few people are gunna be out of work cos of this too, and it’s a hard time for that. I wish them luck”.

Noooooooooooo!!!!!! http://t.co/JXtHtmMh10 pic.twitter.com/Ta7NJDeSHy

— Sir Jack Crowther (@kalisana) August 12, 2014

@newscomauHQ So devastating for what is such a tight-knit community & their livelihood.I was a #Nimbin resident and this is heartbraking.

— True Crime (@AddictTrueCrime) August 12, 2014

While others could not help themselves, pointing out the irony of the situation.

Pretty ironic the Nimbin museum went up in smoke....

— Don Vitale (@DVDUZIT) August 13, 2014

BREAKING: Museum/Cafe burned to the ground in Nimbin. Local residents surprisingly "chilled out" about the whole thing...

— Corey (@coreywilson76) August 13, 2014