‘This is my life’: Owners forced to rebuild after fire destroys popular Italian restaurant

The owners of an Italian restaurant in Sydney’s west will be forced to rebuild the establishment after a fire ripped through the popular business last night. 

Emergency services were alerted to a fire at Savanas in Wetherill Park about 1am.

More than 60 firefighters took over an hour to get the fire under control and prevent the flames from spreading to a nearby Stockland Shopping Centre, however, the building was destroyed.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. (Nine)

Abi Haddad and Ralph Hanako owned the business for 27 years.

“This is my life,” Haddad said.

“My partner, my family, he depends on it, we spent so much money on renovation, you wouldn’t believe.”

The owners had the business for 27 years.  (Nine)

“I hope it’s not arson, I hope it’s not arson,” Haddad said.

The fire is not believed to have been deliberately lit.

The owners now hoping to rebuild. (Nine)

Investigators believe the fire may have started on a balcony attached to the building.

Haddad said they recently completed cosmetic work on the building in preparation for a busy holiday period. 

The remains of the restaurant are still a crime scene as investigators continue to find the cause of the blaze.

The owners had the restaurant for 27 years. (Nine)

“No indication as yet of what the initial ignition point was. There is a number of things it could have been, whether it’s electricity or a mechanical fault, we just don’t know yet,” Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

The restaurant’s 24 employees are also out of work now.

The business is insured.