By Romy Stephens and Jed Lanyon
Emergency services are currently attending the scene of a fire at Yarra Glen’s Balgownie Estate.
CFA Media told Star Mail about 12 CFA and MFB teams are responding to the call of a kitchen exhaust fan fire at a property on the Melba Highway at 10.50am.
The fire caused significant damage to Rae’s Restaurant, which is located at the Balgownie Estate property.
About 20 staff members were evacuated uninjured as paramedics were called to the scene on standby.
“Staff are all accounted for and safe,” said operations manager Melanie Watson.
A nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to Star Mail at the scene.
“We saw a lot of smoke from home. And then I just drove up and the CFA were just arriving. There was a lot of smoke and you could see a lot of flames… It’s very sad.”
It is believed the restaurant was planning on re-opening today, before the incident occurred.
More to come.
