POLICE at Maitland are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a popular Indian restaurant and damaged a nearby internet cafe.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Firefighters were called to the Butter Chicken Cafe in Bulwer Street about 1.45am yesterday and found the premises well alight.
They stopped the fire spreading through the internet cafe next door, which was badly damaged by smoke and heat.
The ground-floor restaurant was gutted and may have to be demolished.
Police believe the fire started near the front of the restaurant, but said it was too early to say what sparked it.
They established a crime scene and blocked Bulwer Street while forensic police and NSW Fire Brigade investigators examined the charred premises.
Nearby shop owners said the restaurant was run by a local Indian family.
Firefighters at Maitland were kept busy yesterday morning, after a gas main caught fire at Rutherford about 11.30.
The incident occurred on a construction site behind Aberglasslyn Road, Rutherford.
No residents were evacuated but many were advised to keep windows closed and take other precautions.
