Sydney’s Haveli Restaurant Gas Tragedy: Could a $30 Bunnings device have saved a life?

A fatal carbon monoxide gas leak at Haveli Indian Restaurant in Riverstone, western Sydney, left the city’s Indian and migrant community in shock last week. The incident, which occurred in a bustling commercial strip, tragically killed 25-year-old cleaner Shiva Khatri and hospitalised seven people, including five police officers who were overcome while attempting a rescue. The leak happened within the kitchen and basement area, exposing victims to “extremely high” levels of the deadly gas before emergency evacuations took place.

Five Areas Investigators will pursue

To bring the tragedy to a close and establish accountability, NSW authorities are meticulously cross-checking:

1. All Gas Appliances and Fittings:

Every connection, appliance, and gas line is being tested for faults or leaks, especially where recent installations or repairs may have occurred.

2. Maintenance and Safety Records:

Investigators are reviewing compliance logs, licences, inspection certificates, and previous gas safety reports—searching for any overdue servicing or regulatory failures.

3. Building Ventilation and Design:

The focus is on whether ventilation meets code in the kitchen/basement, and if exhaust fans or openings are sufficient to prevent dangerous gas build-up.

4. Legal Compliance and Detectors:

Authorities are investigating any breaches of the duty of care, specifically whether carbon monoxide sensors or alarms — considered best practice — were installed or omitted.

5. Staff Training and Emergency Response:

Interviews with staff, owners, and emergency responders are reconstructing how quickly the hazard was recognised and if correct procedures were followed during the crisis.

The most sobering reality? A carbon monoxide detector can cost as little as $29.98 at Bunnings and provides an instant alarm at the first sign of danger. These devices are small, easy to install, and could potentially prevent tragedies like the Riverstone incident. For less than the cost of a dinner for two, every restaurant kitchen in Australia could be protected.

Should CO Alarms be made mandatory, similar to Victoria?

Although there is no law in NSW requiring mandatory carbon monoxide alarms in commercial hospitality venues, only strong recommendations from fire and workplace safety authorities. Other states, like Victoria, make CO detector maintenance mandatory if one is already installed in a rental property, but don’t require installation outright except in special high-risk settings or residential tenancies, not restaurants.

In the wake of this tragedy, safety advocates and political leaders are calling for stricter regulations and a review of building safety codes across the state. Authorities have yet to announce compulsory detector laws for restaurants. However, there is mounting pressure for either mandatory installation or, at a minimum, that restaurant owners and landlords take proactive steps, possibly being tested in court under an extended “duty of care” law.