Kangaroo Flat church fire - 11 December 2008

CFA crews managed to contain the blaze to the main building of St Mary's church.

Story and images by Peter Cecil, CFA Photgrapher - Digital Media Unit, Bendigo

CFA responded to multiple calls of a fire at St Mary's church in Kangaroo Flat at 7am on Thursday 11 December. When crews arrived on-scene they found the building already well involved in the fire. Bendigo responded with its ladder platform and pumper, while Ballarat brought in its ladder platform and pumper. With 12 appliances and crews from Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat working the fire, the blaze was contained to the main building of the church.

Fire crews saved the vestry office which contained treasured parish records but could not save the main building, which was built in 1860. Crews were moved back from the church following fears that the brick walls may come down. Kangaroo Flat Captain Andrew Purdy was the Incident Controller and worked with several Operations Officers during the incident. Members were still at the church blacking out the smouldering remains later in the day.

Left: Incident Controller and Kangaroo Flat Captain Andrew Purdy at the scene of the fire.

Right: CFA Operations Officer Craig Brittain giving a television interview.