Suspicious fire guts Kosher restaurant in North Bondi
A suspicious fire has gutted a well-known kosher restaurant in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Fire and Rescue NSW were called to Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in North Bondi in the early hours of Sunday.
No one was injured, however, 21 residents who live above the shop were evacuated and it took an hour for 30 firefighters to bring the fire under control.
Police are appealing for information, but Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command Inspector Ellen Jackson refused to rule out an antisemitic or political motive.
“There’s nothing to suggest that this premises was targeted,” she said.
“I would like to suggest that there should be no community concern … we have no information to suggest there is an ongoing threat to the public.
“I’d like to also suggest that this is very early stages of the investigation. That is why I’m here today to appeal for any public assistance.”
Police will forensically test “a number of items” and have already spoken with “a number of people at the scene”.
It is reported that police were seen removing a jerry can from the site.
Lewis' Continental Kitchen is a fast food restaurant, which also offers catering services for traditional Jewish holiday meals, including Shabbat, Sukkot, Passover, and Rosh Hashanah.
The westbound lane of Old South Head Road was temporarily closed due to the fire.
By 5pm on Sunday, police had cleared the scene, and workers were seen installing wooden panels over the shopfront’s shattered glass. Inside, the gutted restaurant was littered with debris, including food, cutlery, and collapsed shelving.
Jonathan Jackson, 21st October 2024
