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'I’ve done nothing wrong': Kiwi's cafe deliberately ‘firebombed’ in Aussie attack

Author
Natasha Gordon ,
Publish Date
Sat, 14 Sep 2024, 2:07pm
Dan Horrell’s long-standing business, Bray St Coffee Roasters was engulfed in flames. Photo / Facebook
Dan Horrell’s long-standing business, Bray St Coffee Roasters was engulfed in flames. Photo / Facebook

'I’ve done nothing wrong': Kiwi's cafe deliberately ‘firebombed’ in Aussie attack

Author
Natasha Gordon ,
Publish Date
Sat, 14 Sep 2024, 2:07pm

A devastated Kiwi’s popular Adelaide cafe burnt to the ground in an alleged deliberate attack. 

Dan Horrell’s long-standing business, Bray St Coffee Roasters was engulfed in flames just hours after he shared online his plans for the shop’s eight-year anniversary. 

The owner, originally from Port Motueka, said he vowed to reopen the business following the blaze and will serve coffee on the footpath as soon as possible. 

Horrell told local media that he is struggling to understand why anyone would attack his business. 

He told 7News, “I’ve done nothing wrong and all of a sudden it’s up in flames.” 

The Advertiser reported that local Police were investigating the fire at the cafe in Plympton Park. 

@the.tiser A cafe owner has been left heartbroken after his cafe was burnt down in what police say is a deliberate arson attack. Police are investigating the fire at Bray St Coffee Roasters in Plympton Park after firefighters were called to reports smoke and flames were seen from the business at 10.20pm on Thursday. When police arrived, the rear of the business was engulfed in flames. MFS was able to bring the blaze under control. Bray St was closed for traffic for a short time, but has since reopened. #plymptonpark #cafe #arsonattack #burned #firefighters #owner #sapol #sapolice ♬ original sound - The Advertiser

Firefighters were called to reports of smoke and flames that were seen from the business at 10.20pm on Thursday night. 

When police arrived, the back of the business was reportedly engulfed in flames. 

@7newsadelaide

‘I’ve just lost everything but you wake up everyday and you want something to fight for, I'm fighting for Bray St Coffee Roasters.’ The devastated owner of a popular coffee shop at Plympton Park has vowed to reopen after his business was deliberately firebombed. Just hours before the arson attack, owner Dan Horrell posted online that he would be giving away free coffee on Saturday to celebrate the shop's eight-year anniversary. Now, he says he will be serving coffee on the footpath as early as tomorrow morning. #7NEWS

♬ original sound - 7NEWSAdelaide

Horrell told The Advertiser on the scene of the attack, “It’s just a massive shock to hear that all of a sudden out of the blue someone’s come through the back door and decided to pour petrol through my little shop.” 

He said his dream was shattered when he “got a phone call just saying that the cafe was on fire and I’ve lost everything.” 

Despite a difficult period for all businesses post-Covid, Horrell said this experience was the hardest thing he has been through. 

“This little coffee shop of eight years, it’s going to bounce back.” 

Before the incident, the business revealed they would be giving away free food and drink to celebrate the shop’s eight-year anniversary. 

The cafe thanked its community on social media after they received an outpouring of support from avid coffee lovers and locals after hearing of the devastating inferno. 

“This won’t stop us from giving you all our coffee and our love.” 

One commenter said, “I am devastated. I was going to introduce my granddaughter to your coffee shop on Saturday to join in on your 8 yr celebration. Stay strong Dan and hope they catch the low life that did this.” 

Another said, “OMG that’s horrible!! I drove past today and saw camera tripods and thought they were doing a story on your anniversary! 

“I hope they find who did this and make them pay the price for messing with our community and their businesses. 

“Hope to see you back on your feet soon Dan. You’re a legend and your coffee is second to none!” 

Bray St Coffee Roasters have been approached for comment. 

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