A devastating fire has torn through a stretch of bustling Prospect Road, closing four vibrant restaurants and bringing a deep sense of loss to the local dining scene.
The blaze, which broke out on Saturday afternoon, 10 May, destroyed not just bricks and mortar but months, and in some cases, years, of hard work.
Among the hardest hit was Ishtar Middle Eastern Food, a six-month-old family-run business created by Iman Kedda and her daughter Nour Alakkad.
For Iman, who had built a reputation through years of catering, opening Ishtar was a dream. It was a chance to bring traditional dishes, heartfelt service and a sense of family to Prospect Road.
But as her and her daughter, along with patrons and the local community, watched on as the flames took hold, that dream began to literally go up in smoke.
“They told us to evacuate, and at first it looked like a little bit of smoke,” said Nour.
“Then within five minutes, it turned thick and black. We saw flames coming out of the roof. It happened so fast.” Her voice was steady over the phone, but the weight of the past 48 hours was undeniable.
“Mum’s gutted. She’d spent all week prepping for our first ever Mother’s Day lunch. Each hour that passes, the reality of it is hitting her a bit more. She is devastated.”
Although at this time the cause and extent of the damage is unknown, speculation is that the fire is believed to have started in neighbouring Nala Bhima Kitchen, an Indian restaurant.
It then spread to Miss V Vietnamese and Hecho en Mexico, both well-loved additions to the strip.
Hecho en Mexico had only just opened its doors earlier this year too, bringing a burst of street-style energy to the neighbourhood.
Inside Ishtar Middle Eastern Food, the damage is also not completely known, but with waterlogged interiors, ruined equipment and sunlight shining through where the kitchen roof used to be, it is significant.
However, even in the face of devastation, Iman and Nour are looking for ways to move forward.
“We’ve had so many messages of support from the local community and our customers,” said Nour.
“That’s what’s been keeping us going. We’re hoping we can start something again at the Adelaide Farmers’ Market, just a small kitchen setup to keep things moving.”
The timing of the fire could not have been worse. With Mother’s Day bookings lined up and the start of winter trading in full swing, all four restaurants were gearing up for a strong season.
“I was planning to take mum out for Mother’s Day after we served our first Mother’s Day lunch at the restaurant as mum has been working so hard. Obviously that didn’t happen, so hopefully soon,” added Nour.
The Metropolitan Fire Service sent 12 trucks and 45 firefighters to contain the fire, but the damage bill is expected to reach up to $5 million. The cause is still under investigation.
For locals, it’s an all-too-familiar feeling. Just a few years ago, the original Sunny’s and Mr Chan were lost to a fire that gutted Rosemont Hall on Prospect Road. Against all odds, those venues made a comeback. Yes, the rebuild took time, but it showed what’s possible when a community rallies.
And now, Nour and Iman are holding on to that same hope. Ishtar’s story isn’t over. Just paused.
“Over the weekend, a fire occurred near Hecho en Mexico Prospect, causing significant damage to our venue. While the fire did not start at our premises, the impact has been substantial. We are devastated by the incident but incredibly grateful to confirm that no one was harmed and everyone is safe,” shared Simranjit Singh, Hecho en Mexico Prospect.
“As a result, the restaurant is now temporarily closed while investigations are ongoing and we assess the full extent of the damage.
“We want to thank our loyal customers and the local community for the outpouring of support and well wishes. We’ll keep you updated on our reopening plans.
“For now, we invite you to enjoy Hecho en Mexico at our Peel Street location.”
Please follow the affected restaurants here on their social media to see how you can support them when they are back in business.
Ishtar Middle Eastern Food
Nala Bhima Kitchen
Miss V Vietnamese
Hecho en Mexico
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