Historic Melbourne wedding venue destroyed by fire hours before ceremony
A fire at Wattle Park Chalet damaged approximately 30 per cent of the historic venue on the wedding day.
Firefighters arrived at Wattle Park Chalet in Surrey Hills about 6:32am on Saturday to find the building well alight. The blaze damaged the roof and much of the main hall, destroying approximately 30 per cent of the venue.
The venue was operating as a wedding reception site for a couple planning to exchange vows that evening. The owner, Matthew Forsythe, who bought the business five months ago, said he is working with the groom to relocate the reception to another venue.
The historic building has operated since 1928 and hosted thousands of weddings. Forsythe said he had about 20 events booked over the coming months.
Fire investigators are yet to determine the cause of the blaze, which started in the kitchen and service areas.
- Approximately 30 per cent
- Damage percentage
- 1928
- Building opened
- Five months
- Owner tenure
- About 20
- Booked events ahead
Why it mattersThe fire shows the fragility of plans for major life events and the quick thinking required when venues become unusable at the last moment.
AustraliaThis is a local Melbourne story affecting couples and events booked at this historic venue.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 12 d ago
