Soon-to-be-married couples are scrambling to find new locations for their weddings in peak season after fire ripped through a popular Kurrajong Hills venue on Sydney's outskirts, causing millions of dollars worth of damage.

Kurrajong Hills

A fire has devastated the historic Loxley on Bellbird Hill wedding venue in Kurrajong Hills, New South Wales. The blaze, which razed the more than century-old structure, has left many couples scrambling to find alternative venues for their upcoming weddings during peak season. 

No events were taking place at the time of the fire, but several staff members were present, including the owner's son, who sustained burns while trying to extinguish the flames. Fire crews battled the blaze for several hours, but the building could not be saved. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with a fireplace being considered as a possible source. The damage is estimated to be in the millions, and the loss is deeply felt by the local community.

Historic wedding venue destroyed in inferno

Once the picture of dream weddings, now one of devastation. The more than a century year old structure razed in a matter of minutes. And with it, the hopes of many soon to be married couples. You just go, this can't be real, this has to be a bad dream. Emily was due to be married to her fiancé of 10 years at the charming Loxley on Belbird Hill in November. She, like so many others, is scrambling to find a plan B. But I mean, peak wedding season, what are we going to find? Fortunately, there was no event here last night. Just a few staff members, including the owner's son, who was burnt trying to extinguish the blaze. Within minutes, backup arrived to try and stop it from spreading further. Due to the close proximity of a number of large gas cylinders, those gas cylinders were venting and saw damage sustained to a number of chalets. And forced crews to retreat behind a wall. No matter what we did, there's no way we're going to save it. They used four bulk water tankers and drained the pool to fuel their fight from 7pm until 2am. But the fire was too fierce. The building, or what's left of it, is still smouldering. And while the exact cause of the blaze is not yet clear, at this very early stage in the investigation, they're looking at this fireplace as a possible point of ignition. The damage bill is likely into the millions, but you can't put a price on its importance to the local community. It's tragic. I mean, it's a bit hard to build a historic building. But yeah, I guess the site's here and all the other facilities are here, so it'll be interesting to see what does transpire. A place of happy new beginnings now facing one of its own. Tallulah Thompson, 10 News.

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