Extensive smoke damage has put business on hold for Barkly Homestead Roadhouse

The Barkly Homestead Roadhouse manager has revealed the extent of the building’s damage. Find out what the business’s next steps are.

The manager of an iconic Territory roadhouse has revealed the extent of building’s damage and what his plans for the future are.

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse manager Ryan Brennan said the building’s kitchen had “smoke damage everywhere” from the fire that broke out about 5.30am Tuesday.

“It was only a fire mainly contained to the kitchen area, so it’s not a total loss,” he said.

The traveller’s destination has been closed indefinitely but plans were in the works for it to re-open as soon as possible.

Mr Brennan said he was currently waiting for a damage assessment before anything could be done to restore the iconic rest-stop.

He said the roadhouse had received a lot of support online since the fire on Tuesday.

Mr Brennan said news of the business’s closure seemed to affect the wider community based on Facebook comments.

“That is devastating for travellers,” Elizabeth Waltrich wrote.

“So sorry to hear this, we have been through there many times and you provide an essential service to anyone crossing the Plain,” Elsie Ongley said.

“Hope you can get back into action again quickly, for you and the travelling public.”

About 800 Facebook users shared their support on the Barkly Homestead Roadhouse Facebook page.

Mr Brennan said the roadhouse’s suppliers had also reached out to offer help.

The Barkly Homestead Roadhouse posted on Facebook today photographs of the damage, saying the business would be closed indefinitely.

The devastating fire left travellers without fuel, food and camping.

The Barkly Homestead Roadhouse posted photos on Facebook on Tuesday of the damage, saying the business would be “closed indefinitely”.

Employees and community members aided in extinguishing the fire.

Local police and a fire investigator were deployed to the Tablelands roadhouse from Alice Springs.

St John Ambulance treated two employees for fire-related injuries.

“We are waiting for the fire inspector to arrive but there is significant damage,” the Barkly Homestead Roadhouse Facebook post said after the fire on Tuesday.

“All electricity has been cut so unfortunately there is no fuel, no food, no camping etc.”

A devastating fire has destroyed an iconic Northern Territory business, leaving road-users without fuel, food and camping for some time to come.

The NT government’s Road Report NT Facebook page posted there was no fuel at the business.

“At this stage this could remain the case for up to a week,” Road Report NT said on Facebook.

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse, Northern Territory

“Road users travelling in the area should factor this into their trip planning.”

District Officer Stephen Hunter confirmed investigations would continue.

Travellers have been urged to plan their travel around fuel needs and to get supplies at Threeways Roadhouse or Camooweal.

“Investigations into the cause remain ongoing but luckily no one was seriously hurt,” Mr Hunter said.

“The fuel pumps at the station remain switched off and travellers are urged to refuel their vehicles at Threeways, Heartbreak Hotel or Camooweal if travelling through the Tablelands.”