news, local-news,

The Greengrocer Cafe has been gutted after fire took hold of the premises on Monday night. The fire started just before 8pm and qucikly engulfed the Cafe and Cyclery. NSW Fire and Rescue resources deployed to the fire included the two Goulburn appliances, two trucks from Crookwell, trucks from Bundanoon and Bowral, a specialist tanker from Narellan and a rehab van from Harden. A fire investigation unit was also dispatched. NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Steve Hayes said the fire was being investigated. The blaze started at the rear of the premises around the cyclery and kitchen area. Firefighters gained access through the front and rear of the building and undertook exposure protection of the adjacent Presbyterian Church. “We’re doing positive pressure ventilation to extinguish the last of it,” Mr Hayes said a short time ago. Firefighters wearing specialist breathing also employed thermal imaging to douse hot spots inside. They encountered burnt and mangled bicyles and a gutted interior. Six appliances and 40 firefighters attended the scene and others were placed on standby. “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. The cause will be the subject of ongoing investigations by NSW Fire and Rescue and Police. The area was declared a crime scene. Police and ambulance also attended tonight’s fire, the latter as a precaution. No one was injured. Greengrocer owner Con Toparis was on his way back from Canberra when his family told him of the blaze. When he arrived, he immediately spoke to police and firefighters but declined comment to the media. Members of the Toparis family were visibly distressed by the fire. The fire attracted a large crowd of people, many of whom lamented the loss of the popular cafe and fruit and vegetable shop.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-5KuvS37emzbaPy9XbUJavA/035c7854-e948-4388-adf5-0bf3addf5f54.jpg/r1_100_1964_1209_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg