Authorities are investigating how a much-loved eatery in Adelaide’s inner north was destroyed by flames overnight but are being hampered by the unstable structure.
Key points:
- A fire erupted inside Rosemont Hall just after 4:30am but the cause remains unknown
- Firefighters were unable to save the building but defended neighbouring structures
- The City of Prospect said the area’s village-like appeal had been hurt with the loss of two popular eateries
A fire erupted at Rosemont Hall just after 4:30am and quickly took hold, with nobody inside the building as emergency crews responded.
A SA Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) spokesperson said some 65 firefighters commenced an “offensive attack” on the fire, bringing it under control within an hour.
But they had little chance of saving the building and were instead only able to protect neighbouring buildings.
Fire cause investigators are on the scene and have conducted an external examination, but MFS assistant chief fire officer Peter Mason said they could not gain access due to the compromised “integrity of the building”.
“The front parapet wall is in danger of falling forwards onto the footpath,” he said.
Heritage ‘at risk’
Rosemont Hall is an art deco building containing an Asian food hall with two restaurants, Mr Chan and Sunny’s Shop.
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City of Prospect Mayor David O’Loughlin said it is one of the oldest buildings on Prospect Road, which had been honoured by its owners who had restored the facade.
“We’re very worried that there’s heritage under threat here,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide.
Mr O’Loughlin said the business owners were feeling very “distressed” at the demise of two eateries that were “at the heart” of Prospect Road’s village-like appeal.
“It’s absolutely destroyed everything they built up over quite a considerable time,” he said.
“It took them a year to fit out Rosemont Hall and a year to do Sunny’s restaurant before that.”
ABC Radio Adelaide: Spence Denny
)‘Unique’ establishment
Mr O’Loughlin said the restaurants had a reputation for providing “absolutely unique” food and atmosphere and, while the owners were “pretty determined to get back in there”, it would be a very long time before anybody ate there again.
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“We’re now going to work with them [the businesses] to see how they can keep operating and make sure all the staff have something to do.
“It’s hard enough in the restaurant game at the moment and they’ve got 60 staff who will all be worried about their jobs right now.”
A SAPOL spokesperson said officers were continuing to investigate the blaze but the building remained unsafe to enter.
“At this time, the cause of the fire is undetermined and investigations are continuing.”
Supplied: Metropolitan Fire Service
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