Popular Byron Bay wedding venue 'devastated' by fire
A popular Byron Bay wedding venue has been “devastated” by fire in a tragic start to the weekend.
The Fig Tree told Yahoo News Australia in a statement that the restaurant was “completely destroyed” in the blaze on Saturday about 3.15am.
The fire is not only devastating to the local community, but will disrupt the plans of many couples who were set to tie the knot at the venue this wedding season.
“Our main priority is our couples with upcoming weddings,” the statement said.
“Our team is working tirelessly to contact all couples and arranging suitable alternatives, including relocating their wedding to other Byron Bay Wedding venues.
“Many lifetime memories have been shared and experienced at our venue with people from all over Australia and even internationally either coming to dine with us, get married with us or attend as a guest.”
Staff and the Devlin family, the venue’s owners, added they appreciate the “wonderful support” they’ve received “and how understanding our couples have been during this very sensitive time”.
Fire and Rescue NSW said the restaurant couldn’t be saved due to the fire’s intensity.
It’s not known what caused the fire at this time.
“The Figtree is a Byron Bay institution and one of Australia’s premier wedding locations,” Fire and Rescue NSW wrote on Facebook.
“It’s a massive blow to the Devlin family and all our thoughts go out to Che (Devlin) and his impressive team, who have been busy organising today’s planned wedding in an alternative location.”
On Facebook, plenty of people, some who have had their weddings at the venue, said they were heartbroken by the news.
“So sorry to hear this Fig Tree. The best day of our lives was getting married at your amazing venue 12 years ago today,” one woman wrote.
Another added she had “the most spectacular” weddings at Fig Tree five years ago.
“This breaks my heart,” another woman wrote. “Three weeks ago your beautiful crew catered and supplied so much for our magical day.”
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