Man charged with burning down Wagga bar

A MAN has been charged with deliberately torching Wagga’s Birdy Bar, accused of intentionally starting the devastating inferno that gutted the popular venue early Thursday morning.

The 42-year-old was taken into custody less than 14 hours after flames tore through the Baylis Street business, leaving the building extensively damaged and its roof collapsed.

The fire erupted about 3.45am on August 27, triggering a major emergency response involving around 50 firefighters and 11 trucks from Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service.

Image: Fire and Rescue NSW Turvey Park Station

Firefighters responding to the incident could see a large plume of smoke and a red glow in the distance before they arrived, prompting an immediate escalation of the response.

Crews were called in from across the region, including Albury, Coolamon, Junee and Henty, as firefighters battled to contain the blaze and prevent it spreading to two adjoining businesses.

The single-storey building was already engulfed in flames when crews arrived, with firefighters attacking the blaze from the ground while an aerial ladder was raised above the venue.

About 30 minutes into the operation, the roof collapsed, forcing crews to retreat and continue attacking the fire from outside.

Image: Fire and Rescue NSW Turvey Park Station

Nearby residents were evacuated as the blaze raged through the building, but no injuries were reported.

Firefighters spent several hours bringing the inferno under control before the scene was handed over to police.

Birdy Bar was destroyed, with extensive damage throughout the premises and the building’s structure left compromised.

Image: Fire and Rescue NSW Turvey Park Station

Officers from Riverina Police District established a crime scene, while specialist Fire and Rescue NSW investigators travelled from Sydney to examine the gutted building and work alongside police to determine the cause.

Questions had already emerged over whether the blaze may have been deliberately lit, with employees telling 7NEWS Riverina on Thursday they did not believe the fire was an accident and would not be surprised if it was found to be intentional.

The building’s owner also told the network that rent on the premises had allegedly been several weeks behind.

By late Thursday afternoon, detectives had made an arrest, with police alleging the business had been deliberately set alight.

A 42-year-old man was taken into custody at Wagga Police Station about 4.40pm and charged with dishonestly for gain damaging property by fire or explosive.

He was refused bail overnight and was due to appear before a bail court on Friday.

Police say investigations into the fire are continuing.