Heartbreak as history goes up in flames
HAVING survived unscathed for almost 150 years, a devastating fire has laid waste to a priceless piece of Australian history on the outskirts of Sydney, in what has been described as a “heartbreaking” loss for locals.
The historic Whiteman’s Arcade in Camden was ravaged by fire on Friday morning with more than 60 firefighters battling to bring the blaze under control after it went up in flames about 3am.
As the inferno was finally extinguished after five hours’ destruction, police began an investigation into the cause of the “suspicious” fire.
Camden police area command Superintendent Paul Fuller said investigators were looking into any links to a fire three weeks ago at real estate agent Ray White on the same street.
“We’re treating the fire as suspicious, but it’s still early in the investigation … we have specialist Fire & Rescue investigators and forensics specialists on site,” he said.
The blaze torched the roof of the Victorian-era building, causing it to collapse, but firefighters were able to stop it wreaking destruction to the treasured facade. The exact cost of the damage is not yet know.
Whiteman’s Arcade started as a produce store, built in 1878 by brothers George and Charles Whiteman. More recently it has operated as a commercial space for small businesses.
Steve Wiseby owns a restaurant in the arcade called Upstairs at Fred’s. He arrived at the scene of the fire about 4am and watched his livelihood burn. Mr Wiseby fought back tears, calling the loss of his business “surreal” after a “really s--t” year.
“We survived COVID, had everything repainted and decorated and we were looking better than ever. I watched it all burn,” Mr Wiseby said. “What upsets me most is the restaurant is named after my great grandfather, his pictures are on the walls … we can’t replace those photos of Pop. It’s just another kick in the guts.”