Mount Hope’s Old Store razed by fire
Wednesday May 13, 2009
The Old Store at Mount Hope was burnt to the ground last Thursday morning, although an adjoining house was saved due to the quick actions of a passing truck driver and Mount Hope Rural Fire Service members. ▪ Photo contributed
The Old Store in Mount Hope was gutted by fire in the early hours of last Thursday morning.
The blaze, believed to have started in the kitchen, completely destroyed the century-old building which was renovated and re-opened in April 2007.
The quick actions of a passing truck driver saved the adjacent residence although it did sustain some fire damage.
Euabalong Rural and Euabalong Central Rural Fire Brigades both attended to assist the Mount Hope Brigade in containing the fire.
Owner and operator Susan Bennett was awoken by the noise of exploding cans when the building was well alight, and said it took only minutes to be completely engulfed.
“Everything I owned and worked for was in the two buildings that were destroyed,” Ms Bennett said.
“I have the house but it is virtually empty and until repairs can be arranged it is unliveable so life is a little bleak at the moment.”
Ms Bennett said while the fire has very much affected her, she feels lucky to still be alive.
“This is a person’s worst nightmare.
“The sheer terror of waking to find your building on fire will remain with me for the rest of my days.
“Sleeping is difficult, but at least I have my life which, had I not woken when I did, I probably would have lost,” Ms Bennett said.
Plans are already underway to rebuild
the store and it is hoped that a brand new
roadhouse will be open to the public by
Christmas.
Ms Bennett said the store was insured and police and fire forensics investigators have determined the cause to be an electrical fault in the kitchen “which could happen to anyone at any time”.
Ms Bennett said she believes the Mount Hope community will continue to support her following the fire, as they have done for the past two years.
“When the new building is completed the business will once again welcome customers through its doors,” Ms Bennett said.
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