Family and friends have vowed that one of Wanganui's most popular bars will be back, rebuilt in the wake of a fire that destroyed the premises early yesterday morning.
And even though Wanganui fire services responded immediately, flames had engulfed the building by the time firefighters arrived.
Caroline Norton was at the scene for several hours yesterday but was too upset to talk to media.
Her brother Patrick told the Wanganui Chronicle the fire had affected everybody.
"We're all very upset. It's taken us five years of really, really hard work and the place was absolutely humming. We believe we had everything working spot-on," Mr Norton said.
But he said he felt for the 28 full-time and part-time staff who worked in the popular bar.
"That's 28 people out of work - for a while, at least."
Mr Norton said the property was insured and he expected they would rebuild on the existing site.
"The timing couldn't have been worse. We're coming into the busy time of the year."
He said there was also the prospect of the business relocating temporarily to keep its licence going, "but these decisions don't happen overnight".
Mr Norton said they had no idea at this stage how the fire started.
"In due cause that will come out," he said.
Wanganui Fire Service investigators and Whanganui CIB staff were at the scene during the morning and insurance assessors and fire investigators would be back at the scene today.
Senior station officer Jemal Weston said the investigators would give the site "a good going-over to discount any unusual or suspicious activity".
"It's an iconic bar in the city and very well patronised, but at this stage we've got no idea how the fire started," Mr Weston said.
"However, we know Whanganui CIB are very keen to get hold of any images someone may have captured of the area before we arrived. There may be some images someone has on their cellphone that could be very useful.
"It's not an isolated area because there's a 24-hour Gull service station across the road as well as a 24-hour supermarket and we're very concerned at the speed the fire developed," he said.
The fire service had four units at the scene soon after the alarm was raised and the brigades operation support unit was also sent.
"The fire was well developed by the time we got there, so it was a defensive attack from our point of view. It certainly was at a point where we couldn't get guys inside the building," Mr Weston said.
Gasnet staff were on the scene soon after the fire service to disconnect gas services to the bar.
Wanganui people yesterday took to social media to express their sadness over the fire and offer sympathy to Ms Norton.
On the Chronicle's Facebook page, Sherylee Spencer said the loss of the Celtic was "more gutting than the America's Cup", referring to Emirates Team New Zealand's loss to Oracle in the final race of the America's Cup yesterday.
"So sad, so many amazing memories! Caroline and her staff were a cut above the rest. An awesome place to take the family, and an amazing place to have a good night. My 5-year-old will miss his raspberry-and-lemonades and the sneaky marshmallows and lollies from the staff," Ms Spencer said.
John McCosh said he had spent many good nights at the Celtic.
"It's such a loss. Let's hope something better comes from it."
Sharon Goldsack said she was sad for Ms Norton and her staff.
