Police are investigating a "brazen and cowardly" suspected arson attack on a Marrickville pub which killed a beloved pet cat and could have led to "catastrophic injuries".
Emergency services were called to the newly renovated Royal Exchange Hotel on Marrickville Road at about 11:50pm on Monday. Arriving on the scene, police and fire officers found the two-storey brick building well-alight.
About 20 people including staff, patrons and two residents living upstairs had to be evacuated from the fire. Several are being treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.
"It was absolutely a dangerous situation. The stairwell was destroyed and that means the few folk that were upstairs had to be evacuated from the awning and down a ladder by Fire and Rescue NSW," said Inner West Police Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Sam Crisafulli.
"Unfortunately a pet cat, Whiskey the pub cat, was found deceased inside the hotel."
"The potential for loss of human life was very very real in this situation."
Video posted online by witnesses shows people climbing out of an upstairs window of the historic hotel onto an awning to escape the smoke-filled building.
NSW Fire and Rescue superintendent Scott Dodson said the fire was strongest within the stairwell, making evacuating the patrons upstairs difficult.
"As the fire developed in a stairwell the safest way to evacuate those people was off the edge of the awning and down a ladder," he said.
Fire investigators say about 10 percent of the building was damaged by the fire, mostly from smoke and water, but "there is no structural damage".
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, however, it is being treated as suspicious and police are keen to speak with a man seen running from the location as the building set alight.
The male suspect was seen outside the Royal Exchange Hotel shortly before the fire broke out. Police say the man looks to be in his 20s, is of asian appearance and was wearing a light blue polo shirt. He was seen running down Garner's Avenue away from the hotel.
Police also seized a number of items from the scene which they are "confident" the suspect brought with him. These items will be forensically examined and police will canvas the area for CCTV footage.
"We're hoping for a quick outcome from this one," said Mr Crisafulli.
Superintendent Crisafulli said the use of an accelerant to start the fire is a "line of inquiry". He said "it's a little bit too early to speculate on the motive at this stage" however investigators will be "lifting up every stone to work out the motive".
"Our crime scene officers are assisted by Fire and Rescue NSW crime scene officers who are examining the scene at the moment, and we should have answers in the near future," he said.
Anyone who may have information about the man's identity, or has dashcam vision relevant to the investigation, is urged to call Inner West police or Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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