The Fire Service were called to reports of something on fire next to the train station. One appliance from Dawlish was mobilised to this incident.
Upon arrival crews requested a further appliance which was mobilised from Teignmouth. Crews confirmed the fire to involve a single storey cafe, which was well alight, crews got towork with 4 breathing apparatus, 1 hose reel jet.
The fire was extinguished at 03:17, and the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate.
Is this the beach cafe situated by the viaduct on the sea side?
(just looked on Eyes of Dawlish - seems it was the one further along at Coryton Cove - The Rock Pool Cafe - that was burnt to the ground).
It's at Coryton Cove, very sad.
That's awful. I went there for the first time recently and thought they were doing a great job. The beach huts have been vandalised several times, now this. Don't suppose it'll happen but it's one area that could do with CCTV.
Only walked past the cafe yesterday afternoon, so sad to hear a persons livelihood has been destroyed. I believe they had applied for a liqour licence. It's possibe that the fire was set to hide stock being possibly stolen? just a thought.
It is so sad that this has happened. This was a fantastic facility for visitors and people of Dawlish. Debbie and Don are fantastic at making you welcome and they have worked so hard to make this cafe a success. I hope they get the support they need to get this cafe up and running again as soon as possible. If this was a deliberate act I hope the police find the people that did this.
One of the abiding memories of our recent travails was George wheeling down barrels of water each day to keep the cafe open. Nobody could have worked harder than the Holmans in such difficult circumstances, and this latest body blow is very cruel
I really hope Teignbridge pulls out all the stops to get the cafe re-built. I'm sure we will all get behind Debbie and Don.
The remains of a lovely cafe'
The cafe had made Coryton Cove a very special place again. Those of us who spent happy hours relaxing and enjoying the excellent food and service will miss this and the excellent hosts who were always so welcoming. Hopefully TDC will get another structure in place quickly but will that help the current lease holders?
We hope that they are able to be up and running soon; this was a wonderful cafe and a real asset to the area.
FROM DEBBIE AND DON HOLMAN - We have been overwhelmed by all your wonderful comments and support for us. Unfortunately we must tell you that because of the nat...ure of the building and it's location it was uninsurable and so is a total loss. It is with regret that we will not be in a financial position to start again. We would like to thank our very many customers and friends who have been there with us from the beginning, paintbrushes in hand, supporting us all the way. We are very blessed and thank God no one was hurt xxx
Considering the cafe was a positive and welcome rest stop for a lot of locals and visitors to Dawlish and the Cove. Would it not be possible for one of the official groups in Dawlish to organise a donation scheme to get donations of materials, labour etc to get the cafe up and running? Considering the might of the Dawlish people I wouldn't have thought it wouldn't take long to get it up and running again.
Good idea Allems. Just been reading Eyes of Dawlish where suggestions are being made that a fund be set up to help finance a rebuild.
Should the owners be sounded out first though to see if they are interested in this happening?
@Lynne - my idea was more along the ideas of getting local people and tradesman to offer material, skills and labour to rebuild rather than just requesting money donations. as to asking the owners that's a very good idea. i saw they had responed to this channel in an entry on this subject. maybe if they are still monitoring this channel they may like to respond as to how they would like things to progress!
@ALLEMS - i think the posting on this thread from the owners (see above) was posted by roberta who i suspect cut and pasted it from eyes of dawlish. is that right roberta? expect owners of rock pool cafe distraught at the moment but if someone who knows them could ask them if they are up for a rebuild if money/labour/materials etc are donated perhaps their (holman's) response could be put on here and eod?
And/or perhpas someone reading this who has FB account (I don't) could cut and paste this post of mine and put on EoD and ask Don and Debbie to check out this thread on Dawlish.com?
I did cut and paste Lynne
@Lynne - indeed you are correct, i didn't notice who had posted, just assumed.
Hope whoever is responsible is caught and receives appropriate punishment. I notice a few people on EOD have put up a reward for information leading to a prosecution.
Am I right in thinking the actual hut itself was owned by the Council so they would replace it like they're replacing the beach huts? I ask this because I recall a post on here about the Rock Pool people winning the tender. Are we talking replacement of contents/equipment or everything? How does it work?
@Mcjrpc - yes believe you are correct. that cafe was owned by tdc. holman's won tender to run it. (and see posts above where ownership by tdc is mentioned).
Let's hope local government bureaucracy doesn't delay its being rebuilt. If TDC quote lack of funds etc re their being able to rebuild it then perhaps their bluff can be called by donations of money/labour/materials being offered.
It's a Tory controlled district council. They should appreciate such a manifestation of the Big Society/community spirit/volunteerism and the like.
I believe the beach huts were insured so hopefully that extends to the cafe too but ordinarily I can't imagine rebuilding and refitting would happen so fast. Here's hoping they pull out all the stops though.
https://www.facebook.com/rockpoolcafedawlish?fref=ts you need to read the response on here from the owners, its further down in the comments 15hrs ago. Its beyond their control as it belonged to TDC and they only leased it, I dont think at this moment in time they have the heart to start again even if they were granted the lease on a new building. Looks like there will be no facilities there this year at least
Thanks I've just read it. I doubt TDC could deny them a lease as they will surely have a right under their existing tender, same as those with beach huts will not have to re-apply for a new one. However I can understand how they feel right now, particularly as it sounds as if they were up against a lot of opposition in the beginning. Hopefully once they get over the shock and upset of this, and if TDC come good with a replacement quickly, they will be heartened by enough local support to give it another go.
Such a real shame, as a family my children love spending an early morning shell hunting and then having a rest with a warm drink. The people working there are always very friendly and polite. Hopefully the mindless idiots will be caught, word will soon get out as the idiots can't normally help but brag about their actions!
( Piratkev ) Yes it is a shame, but when and if caught what do you think they would get as punishment? This country is way to easy on crime.
Chain-gang them into doing the rebuild 
would be fitting.
A £50 fine and a slap on the wrist more likely though.
Yes, making them rebuild (and pay) would be a very good punishment for the scum, but what will happen if that did go ahead? Their 'Human Rights' will be violated because they have been subjected to public humiliation.
Sorry, but the PC/human rights brigade have ruined this country.
If caught and charged with arson and found guilty the sentencing guidelines are minimum 5 yrs maximum 20 yrs so lets hope they or him or her are caught charged found guilty and sent down.
Quite right Leatash.
So we end up keeping them for 5 to 20 years, change the law make them pay with constructive work not lounging about in a comfortable prision cell.
Ken, it should be a combination of the two.
Nostalgically, how about breaking rocks on Dartmoor for ballast on the railway?
but to be more serious it does seem a shame not to increase schemes to harness their energies in a more positive way, benefits society and reduces their chance of re-offending on release. i.e. agree @Mrs C 'a combination of the two' is probably best.
Would be telling to know if anything was stolen before the fire or whether the perpetrator(s) were mindless idiots with too much time and energy on their hands deciding to have a laugh with no personal gain attached.
Point is, am I right to think it costs about the same to keep someone in prison as to send them to Eaton? Only for far too many to come out and simply re-offend (prison being a great place to learn how to become a more adept criminal). As for minimum 5years (meaning 2.5years) I'll believe that when I hear it has actually happened.
Lock them up do the crime do the time i dont go round burning property and destroying peoples lives i would give them 20yrs and make certain they did 20 yrs its time to get tough. We have Teachers being murdered in school a rope round his neck and i will willingly pull the handle we need discipline not mamby pandying about with these toe rags lock them up and throw away the key. Consider this we have spent 2 months without trains and the use of the sea wall and beach and the owners of this cafe have worked hard to open then some mindles idiot burns it down give them to me for 2 days they wont ever offend again.
@Clive - think it's something like £33,000 per year fees for eton (but that's just the basics - don't forget to add in the extras such as music and various sports tuition) and similar amount per year cost to keep someone in prison.
Would a towed catering unit be able to gain access as a temporary measure? As I may have a solution for the current owners.
Nice offer. What are the dimensions? You can certainly get a boat trailer along the sea wall, would your unit get under the viaduct?
I've spoken to Debbie Holman and she tells me the Council wont allow access. She is meeting with them on Tuesday, she says she will mention it though.
Very heart warming to hear such positive creative solutions.
Yes it is very positive - I think this highlights just how much the Rock Pool cafe meant to Dawlish - it was nice to have a place that did quality food, drinks with excellent service, compared to the usual "cheeseburger and chips" places found at many seaside towns. They made Coryton special, and hopefully it'll return sooner rather than later - our current seafront offering (in terms of food/refreshments) leaves a lot to be desired at the moment....
From today's Dawlish Gazette
http://www.dawlishnewspapers.co.uk/news.cfm?id=14220&headline=Destroyed
It is great to read these comment, Giving the owners of the Rock pool cafe your support , knowing we as customers;; all enjoy the warm friendly service. I do hope in time Don and Debs and family will be able to have a beach cafe again. I will miss not seeing them there, from a grateful customer and dear friend kevin and my dog Archie.
Seems there's a fund been set up
http://www.gofundme.com/8svsc8
So........how can those of us who don't have fb accounts contribute?
click on this https://www.facebook.com/rockpoolcafedawlish for latest info concerning rebuild.
Probably THE most positive thread I have read and says volumes about the community spirit of Dawlish. I do so hope the momentum continues apace.
Please 