The Bowlers Club Fire 1994

Warning: Readers are advised that some of the images contained in this blog may be confronting and cause distress

Aerial appliance acting as a water tower to extinguish the Bowlers Club Fire, 1994 [Museum of Fire Collection]

On 7 September 1994 at 2:30pm an automatic alarm alerted brigades to a fire at the Sydney Bowlers Club at 95-99 York Street, Sydney. Firefighter Darren Moore responded to the incident on the initial call. On arrival at the scene, he was carrying out his duties as the driver of the City of Sydney’s salvage appliance when he noticed movement inside a window of the fire ravaged building. On closer observation he detected a number of hands hammering on the inside of the window, however, these hands quickly disappeared from sight.

Firefighter Moore, with the assistance of another firefighter, extended a seven-metre ladder from the street to the third level of the building. The ladder was short of the window by one meter, but Moore was concerned for the safety of the occupants. Placing himself in great danger, he balanced on the upper rung of the ladder and used his axe to smash entry through a window into the building. Then, without the benefit of breathing apparatus he dragged himself into the building where he found six unconscious occupants. He lifted each person to the smashed window to allow them all to access fresh air until they were rescued by aerial appliance. Nine trapped persons were eventually rescued by aerial appliance. While many suffered smoke inhalation and were hospitalised, they were only too aware of the fate that could have befallen them if not for the extreme dedication and courage of responding firefighters.

Firefighters evacuating trapped persons from the Bowlers Club Fire, 1994 [Museum of Fire Collection]

The whole second level would be severely damaged by fire, and the reaming levels damaged by heat, smoke and water. Altogether over twenty appliances responded to the incident an experienced tremendous difficulty when it came to combatting the fire as crews experienced backdraft adding to the volatility of the situation. Whilst it is unknown how the fire started in the first place, the seat of the fire was found to be in a stack of chairs that had been centrally stored in the building, which may have caught alight due to a faulty florescent light positioned above the stack of chairs, or possibly arson. The total destruction of the fire caused over $15 million dollars in damages.

Ultimately, due to the courageousness of the firefighters, over 15 citations were awarded for the Bowlers Club Fire. Firefighter Darren Moore received a Medal for Conspicuous Bravery, the highest award that can be bestowed upon a firefighter by Fire & Rescue NSW. In addition, individual commendations for Courageous Action were awarded to Robert Boyd, Bruce Storey and David Triggs; together with seven individual commendations for Meritorious Service and two-unit Commendations.

-Story by the Museum of Fire Heritage Team