Police have arrested four men in connection with two suspicious fires at Bondi Beach in October last year.

The first fire happened just after 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, 17 October 2024, when two men allegedly poured accelerant under the door of a business on Campbell Parade and set it alight. The fire burned itself out, but the building was significantly damaged. The second fire occurred at around 4:10 a.m. on Sunday, 20 October 2024, at a business on Curlewis Street. This fire caused extensive damage and forced residents to evacuate the building, although no one was injured.
Following an investigation, police arrested a 31-year-old man at a home in Jannali on Friday, 18 October. He was charged with destroying property with fire and drug possession. A second man, aged 37, was arrested at a correctional facility on Thursday, 12 December and charged with destroying property with fire.

In connection with the second fire, police arrested two more men on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. A 40-year-old man was arrested at Riverstone Police Station and charged with damaging property by fire, disguising his face with intent to commit an indictable offence, driving a stolen vehicle, and driving without a licence. A 26-year-old man was arrested at a home in Bardia and charged with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.
One of the businesses targeted was Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a well-known kosher takeaway and catering business on Curlewis Street. This incident has raised concerns within the community about a possible rise in antisemitic attacks in Sydney. Lewis’ Continental Kitchen has been a part of the Bondi community for decades, starting as a catering business in the 1940s and expanding to include a retail shop.
This incident comes at a time when Jewish institutions and synagogues in Australia are facing increased security risks. There has been a rise in antisemitic incidents in 2024, including graffiti, vandalism, and online hate speech.
Police are still investigating the motives of the fires and asking anyone with information to come forward.
Published Date 15-Jan-2025