Business
4 September, 2026
Straight back to business after fire scare
A Bowral business was trading as normal on Thursday night after a fire scare late Wednesday.
A Bowral business was trading as normal on Thursday night after a fire scare late Wednesday.
Fire crews from across the region rushed to The Grand Hotel complex in Bong Bong Street just after 4.45pm after shoppers noticed smoke billowing from the roof and called emergency services.
Firefighters were forced to access the roof of the complex to extinguish a fire in the chimney at BD’s Woodfired Pizza and Pasta.
Employees were preparing the restaurant for a 5pm opening at the time.
The complex was evacuated and Bong Bong Street closed to through traffic as Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service crews descended on the scene.
A large crowd of onlookers gathered across the road in Corbett Plaza as the drama unfolded.
While the restaurant was obviously closed on Wednesday night, it was business as normal on Thursday and the BD’s team thanked local residents for their support.
Owners Ben and Jo Patino-Salmon said they kept up regular maintenance on their kitchen flu “but incidents like this will still happen as we are a woodfired oven venue”.
The Patino-Salmons apologised for any inconvenience the incident may have caused to their customers or the wider community and thanked local residents for their concern and well-wishes.
“As small family-owned and family-run business, your support means more to us than you may realise,” they said.
“We are incredibly grateful for the kindness and support our community has shown us.
“We hope you will continue to support BD’s and the other wonderful local small businesses around us.”
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