Owners counting the cost of Cowes fire

The owners of the buildings in Thompson Avenue that were gutted by fire on Saturday morning say they are “devastated” at the loss.

The blaze started just after 2am on Saturday morning in Kim's Bakehouse and Riley's Fish n' Chips on Thompson Avenue, between the Esplanade and Chapel Street.

Phillip Island Fire Brigade spokeswoman Bec Quarrell said about 60 firefighters from 17 fire fighting appliances – some as far as Oakleigh in Melbourne – battled the flames for two hours.

An FRV ladder platform 25 from Oakleigh and FRV Pumper 31 from Glen Waverley were used in the battle.

The ladder platform arrives on the scene at approximately 4am and was able to provide an aerial attack and reach hot spots not accessible to ground crews unable to enter because of the structural integrity of the building.

Bec said while they were able to stop the fire from spreading to the neighbouring Priceline Pharmacy, that business suffered water damage.
an electrical fault has been identified as the cause of the blaze.

Priceline pharmacist Greg Kossena has thanked the brigade and said if it was not for a specialist appliance that raced here from Melbourne and created a water wall between the fire and the pharmacy, it would have gone up in flames too.

“All of the owners, staff and customers of Priceline Pharmacy send out a huge thank you for the amazing work all of our emergency services do. And especially our CFA for saving our store, but also for serving the community on a daily basis.

“Most are volunteers, and they are all amazing.”

In the aftermath of the blaze, the Cowes main street between the Esplanade and Chapel Street remained blocked off for much of Saturday, until investigators had given the all-clear to open the street to traffic.

Clean up works on the site continued throughout the afternoon in accordance with an emergency order issued by Council’s Municipal Building Surveyor.

A builder was appointed by the owner of the property to carry out the work.

Bass Coast Shire CEO Ali Wastie said on Monday the builder appointed is registered to demolish the premises, and to remove any asbestos that may be present. She said council will continue to monitor the site.

Temporary fencing has been placed along Thompson Avenue, including around car parks and the front of both businesses, and around The Laneway outdoor dining area and rear of the property, and will remain until the area is deemed safe.

A pedestrian walkway has been created, with motorists asked to exercise extra care.

A terrible shock

Kim Tran opened Kim’s Bakery in 1988, and the business has been a popular and busy main street business for the past 33 years.

He has worked there with his wife June for the whole of that time, retiring just a few years ago.

Kim said it was a terrible shock to get the call in the middle of the night.

“It was absolutely devastating,” he said on Monday.

The business employed two full-time staff, and a number of part-time staff members.

But of one thing 82-year old Kim is certain.

“We will rebuild!” he said on Monday morning.

The business is now run by Kim’s son Luke Tran.

Customers shared their sympathy with Kim, with Sandi Chatfield describing it as “absolutely devastating news”.

“Best spiced pork rolls and special fried rice ever. Best wishes and hoping you'll be back bigger and better,” she said.

Tash Stapleton from Bass Coast Health said Luke had been generous to the community during Covid-19.

“Luke was so kind and community-minded during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic. When health services were concerned about low stock levels of PPE, Luke donated a significant amount of hand sanitiser to help keep us all safe,” Tash said.

Mark Riley, the owner of the fish and chip shop that also burned in the blaze, has also vowed to rebuild his business.

Mark is new to the island, and had totally renovated the shop, after buying the business last year.

In a post on Facebook, Mark said the support he has received from the local community had been overwhelming.

“Hopefully we can rebuild soon and be bigger and better than ever,” he said.

The Phillip Island Football Netball Club has sent a message of support to Mark, a brand new sponsor of the Club.

“Mark is the kindest and most genuine person you will ever meet, and it is devastating that this has happened to him.

“Mark approached the Club wanting to help in any way he could. He had just come on board as a platinum sponsor and was going to help supply our canteen and donate player awards. His generosity and kindness blew us away for a new business just starting out.”

The blaze comes on the back of the recent fire at Mad Cowes Café, which did not cause significant interior damage, but nevertheless forced the short-term closure of the business.