Roma detectives are on the hunt for arsonist after the historic Romavilla Winery was destroyed by a towering inferno of fire.
Eight QFES crew battled the blaze, which began around 6.30pm on Thursday, 22 June, with the help of rural firefighters from Orange Hill.
Nearby residents could only watch on as Queensland’s oldest winery and more than 240 years of history were destroyed.
“The fire remains an ongoing police investigation and we have deemed it to be suspicious,” Roma officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Duane Frank told Maranoa Today.
“The investigation is being conducted by Detectives from the Roma CIB.”
Maranoa Regional Council Deputy Mayor Geoff McMullen said even though he had not been in favour of the council purchasing the winery to restore and reopen as a boutique venture and tourist attraction, it was irreplaceable.
“It’s a tragedy that it’s gone,” Cr McMullen said.
“It was a great historical site for the town; all that historic memorabilia… and the fact I said I wasn’t really in favour of council buying it, I didn’t expect anyone, or want anyone to burn it down.
“Nobody knows what happened, so I don’t know if anyone did this, but it is very suspicious.
“I believe the power wasn’t hooked up there, and that’s pretty common knowledge.”
Snr Sgt Frank confirmed there power was not connected to the winery.
Cr Mc Mullen said he believed the owners were a Brisbane-based business.
The council had been in the process of obtaining a written sale price, despite voting to push back any purchase consideration to the 2024-25 budget.
In an official statement, Mayor Tyson Golder said the blaze was a “tragedy for the community”.
“To lose such an iconic landmark in our region will be felt far and wide,” he said.
“I’m also very grateful no-one was hurt and I’d like to express my sincere thanks to our first responders who brought the blaze under control and ensured the safety of the Roma community.”
The winery was established in 1866 by Samuel Symons Bassett.
The earliest portion of the winery building was built in 1877-78, reportedly of cypress and imported Oregon pine.
The building’s timber frame was quickly engulfed by the fire, with flames as tall as 15 metres.
Firefighters remained on scene at the winery, vacant for well over a decade, until 10pm on the night of the fire.
Small flare-ups occurred around 5am on Friday, 23 June, with fire crews again despatched to dampen down.
Police declared the site a crime scene. A fire investigator was on the winery later that day.
Warrego MP Ann Leahy said the loss of the winery and its historical significance to the Roma and wider Maranoa region was a “very sad event” for the community.
“There descendants of the winery founders living in the local district, making this an even harder tragedy to understand,” Ms Leahy said.
“When in operation the winery never missed a vintage.
“I wish to thank the first responders who did a tremendous job containing the fire.
“I have no doubt the authorities will do a thorough job on their investigation into the cause and we all await that outcome.”
