Spate of fires with million dollar price tags
Spate of fires with million dollar price tags
15 August 2011
published by www.bunburymail.com.au
Australia — MORE than $2 million worth of damage was caused across Bunbury by two fires over the weekend.
A well known local business and a residential home were both severely damaged by the separate blazes.
The Bunbury Bushfire Brigade was called to Dynamic Print on Strickland Street at 1.10am on Sunday morning.
The crew was backed up by the Bunbury volunteer brigade and the Eaton and Australind Fire and Rescue Service.
The blaze was extinguished at 2.49am and caused $2 million worth of damage.
Store manager Paul Sudlow said it was a devastating time for everyone at the well-known printing business.
It was absolutely gut-wrenching to see it, he said.
The previous owners of 15 years came to see the fire and they were distraught after pouring their heart and soul into the business.
Mr Sudlow said it didnt look like there had been a forced entry and that the blaze had destroyed everything.
Nothing is salvageable, he said. Police arson squads are looking into what caused the blaze.
A house fire in Withers that began about 11pm on Saturday night caused $100,000 damage.
The fire began in the carport and spread to the lounge room where it was extinguished by fire and rescue crews at 12.30am.
One person taken to hospital with smoke inhalation has recovered.
Fourth fire in two weeks
The Withers house fire is the fourth house fire in two weeks across Greater Bunbury.
Last Friday morning a two storey home in Capel burned to the ground after an open stove set a couch alight.
The 57-year-old resident was outside at the time and the blaze is estimated to have caused $245,000 damage.
On the same morning a crane overheated and caught fire in Gelorup.
The fire was extinguished by the Bunbury Fire and Rescue Service and caused about $150,000 damage.
Last week a Carey Park home caught alight and destroyed the familys home.
Fire and Emergency Services Authority arrived at the home at 8.18am and extinguished the blaze by 8.40am.
FESA believe the fire was caused by a lighter or matches. The inferno caused $200,000 damage.
Second business fire
Dynamic Print is the second business to go up in flames after Siesta Bedding burnt to the ground in March this year.
The fire caused about $2.5 million damage and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
