A huge blaze has destroyed a restaurant in Main Street, Mornington.
Fire took hold of the newly-opened Colt restaurant at 9a Main Street, resulting in the evacuation of surrounding buildings.
Flames billowed from the structure and a thick layer of smoke covered the beach end of Main Street.
Fire units responded from Frankston and nearby brigades with brigades as far as Dandenong paged over the blaze.
It is believed eight or nine fire units fought the blaze.
Colt restaurant has been many years in the planning and only began taking bookings about three weeks ago.
The restaurant was a return home for renowned chef Matti Fallon, whose dream was to infuse local produce, including local seafood, into a relaxed dining atmosphere.
Although many of the dishes are prepared over open flames, it is not known what the cause of tonight’s blaze is.