Popular wedding venues in NSW and Victoria razed by overnight fires
Heritage-listed Loxley on Bellbird Hill near Sydney was gutted; a separate venue in Victoria was also destroyed as investigators and fire services assess causes and impacts.
Overnight fires destroyed two popular wedding venues in New South Wales and Victoria, upending plans for couples and prompting police investigations as emergency services dealt with limited water supplies and hazardous conditions.
In New South Wales, Loxley on Bellbird Hill, a heritage-listed property on Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong in Sydney’s north-west, was gutted after a blaze erupted in the main reception building about 7 p.m. on Friday. More than 80 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW attended, but crews were unable to save the main building and nearby structures suffered damage.
Fire and Rescue NSW said limited water availability “aided the spread of the fire.” Two LPG gas cylinders released gas due to over‑pressure from heat, complicating firefighting efforts, the agency said. A 40‑year‑old man was taken to hospital with minor burns after attempting to extinguish the blaze before emergency crews arrived.
NSW Police said investigators were attending the scene. No cause had been confirmed publicly on Sunday, and police did not report any arrests. The blaze destroyed the venue’s primary reception space; staff and couples with upcoming bookings were left without the site for planned ceremonies and receptions.
A separate overnight fire in Victoria also destroyed a popular wedding venue, authorities said. Local media reported links between the Victorian property and figures tied to earlier tobacco‑industry violence in Melbourne, but police statements on those claims were not immediately available. Victorian fire authorities and police were investigating that incident as well.
The twin venue losses come amid a season of heightened fire risk across parts of Australia. Emergency services have warned in recent years that hotter and drier conditions have lengthened fire seasons and increased the potential for rapid fire spread. Firefighting agencies have repeatedly cited water availability, weather conditions and hazardous stored fuels—including pressurised gas cylinders—as factors that can complicate suppression efforts.
The hospitality and events sector said the fires left multiple couples scrambling to find alternative arrangements. Wedding venues often require bookings months or years in advance, and some couples reported having to postpone ceremonies or seek new sites on short notice. Industry representatives noted that insurance, rebuilding timelines and capacity at alternate venues will shape how quickly affected events can be rescheduled.
Local emergency managers said crews worked through the night to contain hotspots and secure the scenes. Authorities in both states urged people to avoid the affected areas while investigations and clean‑up continued.
Police in New South Wales and Victoria said inquiries would examine how each fire started and whether any offences were involved. Fire and Rescue NSW and Victorian fire services have taken photographs and preserved parts of the sites for investigators. No further injuries were reported beyond the man treated for minor burns in NSW.
The incidents underscore ongoing challenges for communities and emergency services confronting increasingly volatile fire seasons. Officials have reiterated public safety advice for areas at risk, including preparedness measures for property owners who store hazardous materials and emergency plans for event operators.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities urged anyone with information about either fire to contact local police. Affected couples and vendors are working with insurers and local authorities to assess damage and explore next steps for ceremonies and bookings.