Updated August 4, 11.37am
Paradise Valley Hotel, a picturesque pub in Clematis close to the Puffing Billy tourist railway, will reopen at midday today after a suspected arson attack in the early hours of July 30.

Approximately 40 per cent of the Paradise Valley Hotel was affected by a fire that local police believe was deliberately lit sometime between 1.30am and 3am on Sunday.

Fortunately, the fire was contained to areas not used by guests, enabling a speedy reopening. Plumbing and electrical systems bore the brunt of the damage and were repaired this week.

No staff or customers were at the pub at the time of the fire, but the blaze has set back plans to redevelop that section of the venue, which has been unused for about 20 years.

Protheroe and other staff left the pub at 1.30am on Sunday, expecting to return later that day for a full day of Christmas in July bookings. Instead, he and his team were calling guests and making signs to inform the community of the venue’s sudden closure.

“It’s certainly a shock to get that phone call to tell you,” co-owner Mark Protheroe said. “I was really jittery when we arrived on site.”

Earlier that day a brawl broke out at the pub among 20 people, but police do not believe the two incidents are related.

“I didn’t go to bed that night thinking there was concern for the safety of the venue,” says Protheroe.

Founded in 1903, Paradise Valley Hotel boasts a generous deck and verandahs with views over the Dandenong Ranges, and serves an approachable menu of pub classics executed with finesse. It was taken over by Protheroe and his partners, who also run The Recreation pub in Fitzroy North, in late 2019.

Open Mon-Fri & Sun 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm

249 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Clematis, paradisevalleyhotel.com