Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited content, as well as The Canberra Times app.

A palpable sense of relief filled the air at The Gordon Hotel on Friday.

Regulars steadily steamed through the door and sat yarning over a drink about the fire that nearly engulfed the pub the day before.

"It would have been the end of the world if it went up," longtime patron and former barman, Ronny Shawyer said.

"It's bloody sad. I've been coming here since I started work with (former owner) Jean Bowerman in 1975."

Emergency services rush to Goulburn's Gordon Hotel fire

Fingers crossed for word on pubs reopening

Another, Donald Harmer, said he would have been devastated if his "favourite watering hole" had "gone up."

"I love the atmosphere, the company and just sitting and having a yarn," he said.

Owner and licensee Brian Di Francesco was remaining philosophical about the blaze that destroyed the beer garden, an outdoor poker machine area and extensively damaged a bathroom. The fire broke out just after 11am Thursday but sparked a quick response from NSW Fire and Rescue and the RFS. Thirty personnel stopped its spread into the historic Union Street hotel's main structure.

At this stage, police did not believe it was deliberately lit.

Mr Di Francesco described it as "a hiccup", as numerous patrons, offered their commiserations and support on Friday.

But he told The Post he was in "disbelief" when his staff informed him of the fire. He was in Sydney at the time.

ALSO READ: Man jailed for assault stomped on the face of an ex-partner while on bail

Just weeks ago he had exchanged contracts on the hotel's sale to local man, Adrian Guest. Mr Guest also owns the Exchange and Southern Railway pubs.

The Gordon had only just opened when the fire started at the rear. Manager Cassie Croker rang triple zero quickly evacuated three staff, several patrons and people staying in upstairs accommodation.

Mr Di Francesco can't praise his staff highly enough but says he's also eternally thankful to the 'firies' and police for their quick response.

"I'm very relieved it didn't affect the main building," he said.

"It came very close and at one stage the flames lapped the inside of the keg room."

ALSO READ: Rowena's story part one: Her journey with acute myeloid leukaemia

The beer garden will have to be demolished and rebuilt. The area also housed an air-conditioner, heaters, televisions, chocolate and pinball machines.

Mr Di Francesco is awaiting an insurance assessment but this won't be finalised until a police investigation is complete.

Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie said the blaze was currently not being treated as suspicious.

"We are looking at several avenues of enquiry including an electrical fault and whether gas heaters in the beer garden contributed to the fire's spread and intensity," he said.

Initial inquiries indicated the outbreak started in the beer garden. The area had CCTV footage, which is yet to be viewed.

DCI Bernie said further information had come forward on Friday that informed the police view it wasn't deliberately lit but officers would keep an open mind. Their forensic report and the NSW Fire and Rescue investigation are yet to be completed.

Police are still looking for any witnesses around the 10.30am to 11am timeframe.

The damage bill was unlikely to exceed $500,000, the threshold triggering a report to the NSW coroner.

ALSO READ: Waste plant briefing session leaves protesters 'out in the cold'

Mr Di Fancesco said the hotel's sale settlement could be deferred from its June 22 date until after the insurance assessment was complete. But he did not believe it would jeopardise the sale.

The Sydney man and wife, Louise, bought the pub just over 16 years ago, lured by its history and location.

"It's a lifestyle I wanted to try. I love the people, the patrons are salt of the earth and Goulburn people are fantastic and welcoming," he said.

"I've enjoyed it and there hasn't been a day that I haven't enjoyed coming down those stairs, facing the different things that happened every day. I have many happy memories."

During their time, the Di Francescos have upgraded the bar, bistro, accommodation, installed the beer garden and pulled in local entertainment.

But a recent offer proved "too good to refuse."

"I felt my time here was up and it needed a fresh set of ideas. It's also time to retire," Mr Di Francesco said.

"I'll miss my staff but it's another chapter for me and them. I wanted to leave quietly and calmly and not go out making such a statement!"

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.

If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.