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Huge fire guts South Melbourne pub part-owned by AFL player Dane Swan Huge fire guts South Melbourne pub part-owned by AFL player Dane Swan
(about 1 hour later)
More than 70 firefighters were called to a huge fire at a Melbourne pub part-owned by Collingwood and former-Melbourne Storm players on Monday. Police believe Monday’s fire at the Albion hotel in Melbourne is suspicious and that two men were in the building before it went up in flames.
The blaze at the three-storey Albion Hotel in South Melbourne was first reported at 6.45am. Police said a site worker at the newly renovated hotel in South Melbourne disturbed two men and was assaulted before the fire started.
Collingwood player Dane Swan and former Melbourne Storm players Robbie Kearns and Danny Williams are part owners of the pub, which was due to reopen on 16 October. On Monday afternoon firefighters were still battling the ferocious blaze that began just before 7am and an arson chemist was standing by to assess the scene as a large plume of smoke billowed across South Melbourne.
Former Western Bulldogs player Luke Darcy’s brother Matt is the majority owner of the new pub. More than 70 firefighters were called to the huge fire at the pub, which is part-owned by Collingwood and former Melbourne Storm players.
Collingwood player Dane Swan and former Melbourne Storm players Robbie Kearns and Danny Williams are part owners of the pub, which was due to reopen on 16 October. Former Western Bulldogs player Luke Darcy’s brother Matt is the majority owner.
Luke Darcy told Triple M radio his brother was “distressed”.Luke Darcy told Triple M radio his brother was “distressed”.
Latest on The Albion fire in South Melbourne: http://t.co/ZAz7AbA7rH (Pic: @AdamTudball) pic.twitter.com/ANFdqziVuNLatest on The Albion fire in South Melbourne: http://t.co/ZAz7AbA7rH (Pic: @AdamTudball) pic.twitter.com/ANFdqziVuN
“The fire has extended to all three levels and surrounding buildings are being evacuated,” the Metropolitan Fire Board said on Monday.“The fire has extended to all three levels and surrounding buildings are being evacuated,” the Metropolitan Fire Board said on Monday.
“There are also concerns about the structural integrity of the building with cracks appearing in some walls.”“There are also concerns about the structural integrity of the building with cracks appearing in some walls.”
Police have declined to comment on witness reports of an altercation between a site manager and unknown men before the fire started. Firefighters said the cause of the fire was unknown.Police have declined to comment on witness reports of an altercation between a site manager and unknown men before the fire started. Firefighters said the cause of the fire was unknown.
Most of the damage has been contained to the pub but a building next door was also damaged.Most of the damage has been contained to the pub but a building next door was also damaged.
South Melbourne Partial roof collapse @ Albion Hotel on York St fire near the market. MFB advice active Pic SarahKath pic.twitter.com/M80s6qbfYlSouth Melbourne Partial roof collapse @ Albion Hotel on York St fire near the market. MFB advice active Pic SarahKath pic.twitter.com/M80s6qbfYl
The pub’s Facebook page has been documenting the renovations of the former Motel nightclub.The pub’s Facebook page has been documenting the renovations of the former Motel nightclub.