Christmas in July cancelled as suspected arson closes down Dandenong Ranges pub
A fire has ripped through a picturesque pub in Clematis, forcing it to close.
The Paradise Valley Hotel, which is close to the Puffing Billy tourist railway, shut its doors after a suspected arson attack affected almost 40 per cent of the building.
Local police believe the fire was deliberately lit between 1.30am and 3am on Sunday.
“It’s certainly a shock to get that phone call to tell you,”co-owner Mark Protheroe said. “I was really jittery when we arrived on site.”
The pub was empty at the time of the fire, however there was damage to electrical and plumbing systems, which has set back plans to redevelop an unused section of the venue.
Protheroe is waiting for an insurance assessment, but believes clean-up and repairs could take as few as five days.
However, the cost could be as high as $100,000.
Protheroe was gearing up to host a busy Christmas in July, with the pub booked throughout the day. Instead, he was forced to cancel all bookings.
The pub, which has been around since 1903, has a view over the Dandenong Ranges
Protheroe and his partners, who also run The Recreation pub in Fitzroy North, took charge in late 2019.
Jonathan Jackson, 1st August 2023
