Horsham Rural City Council has expressed its gratitude to firefighters and the community for its cooperation following Wednesday's fire that destroyed Farmhouse Providore and Cafe.
The blaze started about 2am, causing significant damage and impacting nearby businesses, including Exquisit and Abode Living and Giving.
The cafe building at 54 Firebrace Street was demolished on Wednesday.
"We thank the community for its cooperation in helping agencies keep the area safe during what was a precariously dangerous fire scene, including in the aftermath as the building was demolished," Interim Chief Executive Officer Craig Niemann said.
"Most importantly, a special thanks goes out to the CFA volunteers from Horsham and several neighbouring towns as well as the firefighters from Fire Rescue Victoria who came from as far away as Ballarat. These dedicated individuals worked long hours to ensure the safety of the area, demonstrating remarkable commitment.
"Despite the severity of the fire, most nearby businesses that were closed on Wednesday have now reopened and we encourage the community to keep supporting them during this challenging time," he said.
Firebrace Street has been reopened to traffic. However, pedestrian access remains restricted in the immediate incident area.
Bradbury Lane will remain closed for an extended period as cleanup and safety measures continue.
HRCC's business development staff are working from 43 Firebrace Street on Friday and Saturday to assist retailers with their recovery efforts.
