Popular NSW wedding venue gutted by fire

Fire has devastated a popular wedding venue on the New South Wales north coast.

Fig Tree Restaurant near Byron Bay has been destroyed by a fierce blaze after a wall of flames ripped through the venue just after 3am.

The devastated owners are working to relocate upcoming weddings.

The fire was so intense, crews had no choice but to retreat.

Witnesses Vera and Rami Muktar, said: "I saw this massive ball of fire and smoke just billowing across from us."

Crews today praised the quick thinking actions of the owner, grateful that no one was hurt.

Matt Crisp from NSW Fire and Rescue, said: "The owner, operator of the business, Che Devlin, has a lot of forethought to immediately evacuate the nearby guest accommodation."

The Byron Bay farm house has played host to thousands of weddings since its opening it 1981.

The owners said on social media they are heartbroken, and are urgently trying to rebook upcoming weddings.

The cause of the blaze isn't yet known.