Taken from the local newspaper of 23rd June 1993;
The Roadhouse on the eastern side of the Blanchetown Bridge was destroyed by fire on Monday night.
The Roadhouse originally built and formerly owned by Mr Lindsay Dohnt of Waikerie in 1964 and opened at Easter in 1965 was completely gutted when a fire which started in an adjoining storage shed gutted the shed and spread through the remaining building.
Fire units from Blanchetown, Waikerie, Cadell and Morgan with 60 volunteers fought the blaze for several hours fearing it may spread to fuel storage tanks and a large gas cylinder at the rear of the building.
The Sturt Highway was closed to all vehicular traffic for almost two hours in case the tanks exploded.
Police and CFS fire investigators were at the scene on Tuesday morning in an attempt to find the cause of the fire.
Blanchetown CFS Officer, Mr Anthony Noll, said it was impossible to contain the fire because of the lack of water and extra tankers had to be brought in from Blanchetown, Waikerie and Morgan to fight the fire and cool areas around the tanks.
He said it was the biggest and worst fire seen at Blanchetown, because of the many chemicals and fluids involved.
Although no official figure has been put on the damage to the building and contents it was estimated the bill will be over $200,000.
Lindsay Dohnt, who sold the business in 1969, said it was a shame the building was destroyed and recalled how in the time he owned it, it was the main fuel service in the area and had been a part of Blanchetown since the opening of the bridge.
It makes for a great rest stop well off the highway, although there are no facilities but a few trees dotted around.
Cache is a 1litre sistema container holding logbook, a pencil and a few starter swaps.
Parking is well off the highway and safe. There will be the occasional semi or truck pulling in or parked to be aware of.