TOURIST ICON GOES UP IN FLAMES: THE ROCK ROADHOUSE UPDATE

Forensic investigators are on the scene at the landmark ‘Rock Roadhouse’ on the Mid North Coast this morning, trying to piece together what happened overnight.

There were staff inside the centre when the blaze took hold, managing to get out just in time – as the structure started to collapse.

The biggest priority for the 80 firefighters, trying to stop the flames from spreading to nearby petrol bowzers.

The Ayers Rock Roadhouse has been a tourist stop for decades, the brainchild of Mike and Mal Leyland.

Reporter Sam Burbury is on the scene today, and has caught up with some bystanders, coming to reminisce about the site’s former glory days.

We’ll have more details throughout the day, including some archival content from way back when.