Fire

[Erik Sine]

$6m damage bill after blaze guts Bayswater club

Dozens of firefighters were yesterday unable to save much of Club Kilsyth in Bayswater North. The cause is still being investigated

By Selma Milovanovic

November 10, 2005

A blaze gutted a large entertainment club in Bayswater North yesterday, leaving a $6 million damage bill.

Firefighters rushed to Club Kilsyth on the corner of Canterbury and Colchester roads just after 7.15am after a cleaner noticed a strange smell.

About 75 firefighters were unable to save the large entertainment, function and pokies centre after its roof collapsed and the structure went up in flames.

They struggled for more than an hour to control the fire. The cause is still being investigated.

The club had four function rooms, a restaurant and a pokies outlet. It also housed several community groups, including a basketball club.

Manager Richie Appleby said staff were devastated by the damage done and managers were trying to move staff and clients to nearby clubs.

The blaze resulted in traffic chaos. Roads were blocked to prevent flying debris damaging cars, and people were advised to stay indoors to avoid inhaling smoke.

Firefighters remained at the premises into the afternoon.

Meanwhile, a fire in a Preston factory forced the evacuation of 70 people about 8.30am. It took firefighters 14 minutes to control the fire.

Nine Crown Casino employees were treated for minor smoke inhalation after a neon sign caught fire at the venue's Whiteman Street end about 7.30am.

[Sign God]

Wasn't us

[Marekdlux]

And who said neon was boring?

-Marek

[RayofLight]

maybe it was one off those neon signs that explode with spark's flying all over the place,

just like in the movies...