This was published 4 years ago
Investigations under way after historic Camden arcade burns down
By Mary Ward
Police are investigating after a historic arcade in Camden, south-west of Sydney, burnt down overnight.
The roof of Whiteman’s Arcade collapsed after it was engulfed in flames early on Friday morning.
Whiteman's Arcade in Camden was built in 1889, with a second storey placed on the building in 1936.Credit: NSW Fire and Rescue
Emergency services arrived about 3am, after police patrolling the area noticed the fire.
Whiteman's Arcade was built in 1889, and a second storey was placed on the building in 1936.
It was home to several retail outlets, as well as restaurant Upstairs at Fred's, whose owner Steve Wisbey told 2GB's Ben Fordham the fire was "just devastating".
Mr Wisbey, who opened the restaurant five years ago, said he had been "looking forward to a future" with the business after pandemic restrictions eased.
Emergency services arrived about 3am, after police patrolling the area noticed the fire.Credit: NSW Fire and Rescue
"It’s so hard: we got through being closed for those months of COVID ... and for something like this to happen, for my wife and I, it’s really devastating," he told the breakfast show.
No one was inside the building at the time of the fire.
A crime scene has been established and investigations are ongoing.