In a spectacular overnight fire Wellington has lost one of its iconic glbt ex-venues, the Evergreen Cafe. Originally the site of Carmen's Purple Onion club, the Vivian Street premises became from the mid-1970s a magnet for the capital's transgender community and was a home away from home for many glbt people until its closure following proprietor Chrissie Witako's death four years ago. Sold to a developer and due for demolition the site was recently damaged by a small fire but last night was gutted in what is believed to be a "suspicious" fire. Fire service Station Officer Dave Cairns said the deserted wooden building had become a magnet for itinerant people of late and the fact it had no electricity or services connnected makes the outbreak of fire suspicious. At the height of the blaze, which was reported at 8.55 last evening, 15 fire appliances were called in from around the city. Carns said the close proximity of other wooden buildings was a major concern to firefighters as a strong wind gusting up to 100km/hr fanned the flames. Several blocks of inner-city Wellington were closed off until the early hours of this morning and firefighters remained at the site as late as noon today. The building has been gutted and through gaping, blackened holes in the street frontage charred remains of the Evergreen and a neighbouring ex-strip club can be seen. Much of the upper structure of the two-storey buildings has collapsed and Cairns says they will be demolished later today. During its heyday from the mid 1970s to late 90s the Evergreen was a home away from home for many of the capital's transgender working girls, a late-night haven away from the often difficult life on the street. But it also became a relaxing hideaway for gays and non-identifying men who have sex with men. Current and ex-working transgenders spoken to by GayNZ.com say they are saddened by the destruction but several say it was a perhaps more fitting end than a simple demolition by bulldozer. "A lot of good memories are drifting up into the sky with all that smoke," said one older transgender woman as she watched the fire last night.