The Goose a ‘total loss’ after blaze rips through

An iconic South West restaurant and bar on the Busselton foreshore has been destroyed in a fire early this morning. The Goose Beach Bar and Kitchen, next to the Busselton Jetty, is barely recognisable after the blaze which has razed the roof, leaving huge scorch marks over its trademark blue cladding. The fire started at 3.46am in the restaurant’s utilities room before spreading to the entire building. Local residents packed out the area this morning to get a view of the damaged building, with a number posting images of the tourism gem to social media. Busselton Jetty chief executive Lisa Shreeve told Triple M radio the fire, which started about 3am, will leave the restaurant closed for at least a year. Busselton Volunteer Fire and Rescue incident control officer Neil Mckay said the fire was a “total loss” and could result in the building being demolished. “At about 4am this morning we received a call to say there was a fire at the site and on arrival we found the western side of the building, the utilities area alight and we set out to put it out,” he said. “Unfortunately it had already got into the roof space and resulted in basically a total loss of the building.” It is reported 35 fire fighters worked to put the fire out. Manager Tim Meikle thanked the volunteers and police officers for their help. “Everyone who works there including the owners are proud of the building and we are very upset to see it in its current state,” he said. “Once we get a handle on the situation we look forward to working with the community and our staff in getting this iconic building back for locals and visitors alike,” he said. The Goose employs more than 70 staff and Mr Meikle said the business would potentially look at working with other hospitality venues in Busselton to ensure their employees were looked after. “We are a major employer in the town and we have a huge responsibility to our employees,” he said. Bar tender at the business Siobhan Longmore said she was “shocked” and “heartbroken” to see the damage. “This place is iconic. So many people come here,” she said. “I am sad for all the workers, for all the people who have worked here since it opened like the chef, the hours they have put in to the business.” Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said it was sad to see the damage on one of the regions “most iconic businesses”. The news will be a devastating blow to the area, which is in the middle of one of its busiest school holiday periods of the year. City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley said The Goose was one of the “three pillars” on the foreshore which upheld Busselton’s history. “It is fondly remembered by people who have had breakfast, lunch, dinner, weddings and functions and it will be sadly missed in the time it takes to repair or rebuild,” he said. The Busselton Jetty will be open when the smoke has cleared.