Creaky Tree ready to rebuild after fire
Dale said the community has come to love Creaky Tree, as regulars have a special place in their hearts for the venue.
Bedfordview function venue and café Creaky Tree unexpectedly caught fire on the evening of August 31, leaving two lapas destroyed.
Despite this, the owner and head chef are hopeful for the future of the loved community area.
Creaky Tree owner Dale Ryan and head chef Michelle Ross have managed the Creaky Tree for 15 years and Dale has lived in Bedfordview for most of his life.
“The fire started at approximately 23.20pm on August 31. It was finally put out on September 1 at about midnight. One of the big trees in the driveway started up again, as it was burning from the inside, and the fire department had to be called out again,” said Michelle.
She said both lapas which are used for events and functions were completely destroyed.
Dale added the lights went down, with electricity in some areas not working at all and the clean-up afterwards had also been difficult.
Michelle said the price to get the venue to what it once was will be between R250 000 and R500 000.
Dale said the fire department suspects it was started by vagrants sleeping in the bushes.
“It has obviously affected our business as our lapas were always hired out for parties. I actually had a corporate function booked for the lapa area the next day. We managed to pull it off and hosted it in the coffee shop area. To stand there and watch it just burn, knowing there’s nothing you can do about it, was one of the worst feelings,” said Michelle.
Dale said the community has come to love Creaky Tree, as regulars have a special place in their hearts for the venue.
“Some of the customers see Creaky Tree as a second home. We have residents from an old-age home and plenty of golfers who are regulars,” said Dale.
Michelle said Creaky Tree is a home away from home for customers.
“Creaky Tree has become part of some of our customers’ lives, and has become a great getaway,” said Michelle.
Dale said on the evening of the fire, two fire trucks from the Bedfordview Fire Station, Emergency Management Services, RAG and an ambulance responded immediately.
“There was a team of 10 firefighters that made themselves available,” said Dale.
Michelle added some of the firefighters did a double shift as some of them arrived the next day as well.
“We would’ve lost everything without them. During the function on September 1, the firefighters even looked after the children and entertained them. They kept telling us not to worry and everything will be okay. They were friendly and still remained professional. They were brilliant,” said Michelle.
Dale said the Bedfordview Fire Station went above and beyond for Creaky Tree.
For now Dale and Michelle said Creaky Tree will still operate as normal, just without the two lapas.
“We also have a home which is an historical site, which we are so lucky the fire missed,” said Dale.
Michelle said things could’ve been much worse and that they will rebuild.
