Diamant fire inquest begins

An inquest has begun into a fire which destroyed part of Canberra's Diamant Hotel at New Acton.

The fire in June 2011 destroyed a restaurant and wine bar as well as offices above the premises. The hotel itself was saved.

Today counsel assisting the coroner Anthony Williamson outlined the main issues to be considered.

He told the court it was accepted the investigations should focus on the exhaust ducts in Flint restaurant.

Mr Williamson told the court there were questions about whether the duct work was built to the proper standard and if it was not, should it have been certified.

There are also inquiries into whether the exhaust system had been properly cleaned and whether a pizza oven in the restaurant was being operated correctly.

The first witness who worked in an office above the restaurant has told the court how he become aware of the fire when he heard a rumbling and later saw smoke outside the window.

The fire in June 2011 destroyed a restaurant and wine bar as well as offices above the premises.

Source: ABC News, 5 November 2012