Popular Mornington restaurant destroyed by fire just three weeks after opening

A Mornington restaurant that has been open for just three weeks has been destroyed by fire.

It didn’t take long for Colt Dining to build a loyal following; however, an electrical fire has put a halt to owner Matti Fallon’s dreams.

The fire, caused by a leak, spread along Main Street as Colt diners and those at neighbouring restaurants ran from the flames.

Fallon had felt he was getting his life back on track after recently recovering from brain surgery.

"I've only recovered from brain surgery a couple of years ago," Fallon said.
"To get back on top, now we're back on top, to get it all smashed away, it's just heartbreaking really."

Fallon and business partner Paul Goddard were already taking bookings for the upmarket restaurant for next year.

"No one was hurt, no one was killed, it's just material stuff but yeah it's tough," Goddard said.

The fire was so ferocious that emergency crews found it difficult to enter the heritage building.

It was made worse by the vinyl album collection that entertained diners while they enjoyed their meal.

Fallon and Goddard have vowed to rebuild and reopen.