Temora police investigating the fire that gutted Matong’s pub have called for witnesses to come forward.
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The 102-year-old Farmers Home Hotel was demolished due to safety concerns on Wednesday afternoon after a fire at about 5am that morning.
Inspector Robert Vergano said forensic services had been able to briefly enter the building before it was demolished.
“A crime scene has been established and examined by Forensic Services Group,” he said.
“Detectives are calling for any witnesses who may have information to come forward.”
The building was reportedly owned, as of November last year, by ACN 143008557 Pty Ltd, made up of four members; builder and businessman Bruce Maples, Merril Stever, Patrick Campbell and Robert Dallizia.
The Irrigator repeatedly tried to contact Mr Maples on Thursday but did not receive a response before publication.
Farmers Home Hotel was devastated by fire in 2007 and Mr Maples had previously said that ACN 143008557 wanted to reopen the pub.
The company reached an agreement with Coolamon Shire last year to prevent a demolition order.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) attempted to have ACN 143008557 deregistered in 2013 under legislation targeting businesses that might not be operating.
ACN 143008557 remains a registered company but the last time it filed documents to ASIC was in April 2010.
Coolamon Shire reportedly spent $40,000 on hiring a contractor with an excavator and a bobcat to demolish the pub on Wednesday and is seeking to recoup the costs.