Vic: Hotel severely damaged by fire

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2007
Vic: Hotel severely damaged by fire

MELBOURNE, Dec 2 AAP - Two people have escaped a fire which severely damaged a landmark
hotel in the northern Victorian city of Shepparton.

The Goulburn Valley Highway remains blocked as Country Fire Authority crews mop up
at the Shepotel (Shepotel) in Wyndham Street in the centre of the city, 180km north of
Melbourne.

The hotel was not open when the fire broke out about 3.40pm (AEDT) but two people inside
escaped unharmed, a CFA spokesman said.

The upper floor of the double-storey building was destroyed and the remainder suffered
severe smoke and water damage.

The fire took more than 40 firefighters about 90 minutes to control.

The hotel had been refurbished about 18 months ago, the spokesman said.

Fire cause investigators will examine the scene.

The damage bill is expected to be well over $1 million.

AAP jrd/jt/de

KEYWORD: HOTEL

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