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    REBUILD: Luke Uebergang from HED Industries supervises demolition of the Victoria Hotel kitchen. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Steady progress at Horsham's fire-damaged Victoria Hotel

Work is underway on a significant rebuild of a Horsham hotel damaged by fire last month.

Victoria Hotel publican Mark Fitterer said crews had been working to tear down the remains of the hotel’s bistro, kitchen and laundry after fire ripped through the building on May 25.

The fire started in the laundry about 11pm, with crews and 10 Country Fire Authority vehicles bringing the blaze under control by 1.06am.

“Nearly everything is down now,” Mr Fitterer told The Weekly Advertiser on Monday. 



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“Then it goes out to tender, for the rebuild. The insurance company does that, we don’t have a say in it, unfortunately.”

Mr Fitterer said he expected the rebuilding phase to take about three months.

“We are hoping to get the main bar open in a week’s time,” he said.

“We are waiting on the okay from the council, because of the smoke damage. But we are trying.”

Victorian coronavirus restrictions will be further eased on Monday, to allow up to 50 patrons in hotels, provided they adhere to the one customer per four square metres rule.

People will be able to buy drinks without purchasing a meal but they will still need to leave their contact details and be seated at a table rather than the bar.

Mr Fitterer said he looked forward to welcoming patrons back to the hotel. Despite the difficult circumstances, he wasted no time responding to the devastating fire.

He had the hotel’s drive-through bottle shop up and running within a couple of days and has set up a mobile kitchen in the car park.

“We’re firing up again, offering meals seven nights a week and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday,” he said.

“The locals are really supporting us, buying meals and beers from the drive-through. 

“We are really grateful to everybody for their support and want to thank the people of Horsham and surrounding towns.”

– Sarah Matthews

The entire June 17, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!