Two popular Australian wedding venues destroyed by overnight fires in NSW and Victoria

Two popular wedding venues in New South Wales and Victoria were destroyed by overnight fires, leaving couples and businesses reeling and prompting police and fire investigators to open inquiries.

Fire and Rescue NSW said crews were called to Loxley on Bellbird Hill, a heritage-listed reception venue on Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong in Sydney’s north-west, at about 7 p.m. on Friday after flames erupted in the main reception building. More than 80 firefighters attended the scene, but the main building was destroyed and nearby structures were also impacted.

Fire and Rescue NSW said limited water availability aided the spread of the fire and that two liquefied petroleum gas cylinders released gas due to over-pressure from the heat, complicating crews’ efforts to extinguish the blaze. A 40-year-old man was taken to hospital with minor burns after attempting to fight the fire before emergency services arrived, authorities said.

NSW Police confirmed they were investigating the cause of the Kurrajong fire. Fire crews remained on scene through the night conducting suppression and preservation work and assessing damage.

A separate blaze in Victoria also destroyed a popular wedding venue overnight. Reporting has linked that Victorian site to long-running and violent disputes connected to Melbourne’s so-called tobacco wars, although police in Victoria have yet to publicly confirm a cause or any law-enforcement link between the venue’s ownership and the fire.

Local business owners and couples who had planned upcoming ceremonies at the affected sites expressed shock and distress as bookings and deposits were disrupted. Venue operators, brides and grooms, and wedding suppliers faced immediate cancellations and the logistical challenge of relocating events with little notice.

Emergency-service accounts highlighted factors that can complicate firefighting at rural and semi-rural properties: constrained water supplies, presence of stored fuels or pressurised gas cylinders, and the rapid involvement of outbuildings and vegetation. Fire and Rescue NSW said crews used available resources to contain the flames while prioritising public safety and the safety of firefighters.

The incidents come amid an extended period of heightened fire risk in parts of eastern Australia, driven by seasonal dryness and elevated temperatures in recent years. Officials have previously warned that such conditions can increase the speed and intensity of structure and bush fires, stretch firefighting resources and complicate suppression efforts, particularly where water access is limited.

Police in both states said investigations were under way to establish the cause of each fire. Authorities indicated that specialist investigators and fire-safety officers would examine the sites once it was safe to do so, and that inquiries would include examination of structural ignition points and any evidence of accelerants or equipment failure.

Insurance assessments and heritage authorities are expected to be involved in the aftermath at Loxley on Bellbird Hill because of its listed status. In Victoria, authorities did not immediately release the name of the venue that was destroyed; media reports have referred to police lines of inquiry and to previous reporting about the site’s ownership and connections.

Emergency services reiterated safety advice for owners of rural properties and event venues, including secure storage of gas cylinders, regular maintenance of electrical and heating equipment, and ensuring adequate water access for firefighting. Police urged anyone with information relevant to either blaze to contact local stations.

As investigations continue, affected couples and suppliers face uncertain timelines for compensation and rebuilding, while communities consider the broader implications for event safety and fire preparedness at popular heritage and rural venues.