Onlookers and regular patrons dropped into the popular social hub on Clifford St, gutted by fire on Monday night.

Cyclists who usually dropped in for a coffee, stopped and surveyed the damage, while fire investigators and police went about their work. They are yet to establish a cause.

Local chiropractor Keith Lewis was among those mourning the eatery’s loss.

Every weekday afternoon he and his wife, Ruth, lingered over a coffee, unloading the day’s events. On Saturdays they’d be back for a light breakfast, each time watching the comings and goings, the movers and shakers.

“It’ll change a lot of lives in Goulburn,” Mr Lewis said of the fire.

“Cyclists built up a lifestyle here. It was so central and light and bright and great for the kids to run around. In effect it gave people a reason for living and a social outlet.”

Greengrocer’s young bike mechanic Joe Muscarella worked at the business for the past three years. On Monday the shop closed at 4pm, with everything appearing normal.

“I’ve got nothing to do now,” he said as he watched on.

The blaze gutted the building, destroying fixtures and numerous bikes, some of which were highend racers priced $10,000 and more. Owner Con Toparis has declined comment. He was in Canberra when his family informed him of the outbreak.

When he arrived he was visibly distressed.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze by numerous triple zero calls at about 8pm.

NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Steve Hayes said the building was well alight when crews arrived.

While he initially believed the fire started in the back of the building, around the cyclery and kitchen, yesterday he said this wasn’t clear.

Units from Crookwell, Bundanoon, Bowral, a specialist tanker from Narellan and a rehab van from Harden rushed to the scene, joining Goulburn crews. A total 40 firefighters worked well into the night.

Later, an aerial appliance arrived from Narellan to douse the last remaining roof flames and render the structure safe for investigators. They also employed thermal imaging to douse hot spots inside.

The fire was finally extinguished at 1.15am, but a small area reignited at 3am, Supt Hayes said.

The blaze threw up several challenges. Crews worked to protect the adjacent Presbyterian Church. Firefighters also wore specialist breathing equipment to combat carbon fibres emitted from scores of bikes and asbestos contained in the building. Compressor air flows neutralised the fibres.

Onlookers reported several explosions while the structure was burning thought to be from tyres and compressed air in bike forks.

“The major challenge was the heat, smoke and access because the roller doors, glass doors and the tin roof made for very hot conditions. It was difficult to get to,” Supt Hayes said.

Police and ambulance were also attended, the latter as a precaution.

Yesterday, three police forensic investigators, arson dogs, two Fire and Rescue investigators and Goulburn detectives were on scene.

Yesterday Supt Hayes said investigators could not say at this stage whether the fire was suspicious.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the fire that may assist with their inquiries to contact Crime Stoppers.

Watching the scene yesterday, local man Allan Eeth described the cafe as “one of the best coffee shops in Goulburn”. 

He said he’d miss the friendly service and atmosphere.

His friend, a Sydney man told the Post he hoped the owners would replace the eatery, “as it was, in the old way”.