Four charged as investigations continue into Bondi fires
Police have charged four men in connection with a series of suspicious fires in Bondi last year, including a blaze at the iconic Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a kosher takeaway and catering business.
The incidents have occurred against a broader backdrop of increasing antisemitic attacks in Sydney and other parts of the world including an attempt to firebomb Newtown Synagogue last week and the destruction of Adass Israel Synagogue in St Kilda.
The fire at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen broke out on Sunday, October 20, 2024, shortly after 4:00 am. Emergency services responded quickly to the Curlewis Street business, evacuating nearby residents while Fire and Rescue NSW crews worked to extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported. Initially considered non-suspicious, police revised their assessment later that day after forensic examination of the scene.
Detectives seized multiple items including a red jerrycan from the site, which was tested. The context of the incident is critical, as it comes amid heightened concerns over a dramatic rise in antisemitic attacks in Sydney and globally. The Lewis’ fire unfolded in a climate where Jewish institutions, schools, and synagogues in Australia have faced increased security risks. According to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, 2024 saw a spike in reported incidents, including graffiti, vandalism, and online hate speech, contributing to a sense of vulnerability within the community.
Lewis’ considered a Bondi institution, began in the 1940s when Israeli immigrant Harry Gilovitz and his wife Faye established it as a catering business. It expanded into a retail shop in the 1970s and continued to operate under the stewardship of their descendants. Known for its home-cooked cuisine and warm hospitality, Lewis’s Continental Kitchen has been a cornerstone of the local community
This was not the only suspicious fire in Bondi last October. On October 17, a business on Campbell Parade was targeted when two men poured accelerant under the door and ignited it. Although that fire self-extinguished, significant damage was caused.
In response to the incidents, Strike Force Pearl was established, leading to four arrests. A 31-year-old man was charged on October 18 with property damage by fire and drug possession. A 37-year-old man was arrested in December and charged in relation to the Campbell Parade fire. On January 14, 2025, two more suspects—a 40-year-old man and a 26-year-old man—were arrested and charged with various offences, including property damage by fire and intent to commit an indictable offence. Both appeared in court today
