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Photograph, St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire - images collection, April 1991

  • A fire hose and a fire ladder are propped against the front of the white Town Hall building. In the background two fire fighters stand by a fire engine

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #1

  • A fire hose and a fire ladder are propped against the front of the white Town Hall building. In the foreground is the rear of a fire engine. Another fire engine is in the background, parked at the entrance to the building, where two fire fighters are working.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #2

  • A group of onlookers and fire fighters stand on Carlisle Street at the front end of the Town Hall. The image is taken from the other side of the street. In the foreground a car is parked on each side of the street.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #3

  • A temporary wire chain mail fence separates lawn in the foreground from the site of the fire. On the far side of the fence is a pile of brick and other rubble and a fire truck. A firefighter is standing on the side of the truck.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #4

  • Rubble including bricks, steel girders from a collapsed roof, and burnt furniture and other indistinguishable items, are piled in front of parts of the building that are still standing.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #5

  • Rubble including bricks, steel girders from a collapsed roof, and burnt furniture and other indistinguishable items, are piled in front of parts of the building that are still standing.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #6

  • Two fire fighters are seen through a wire fence stand. They stand next to a partially collapsed white wall and bricks, broken furniture and other rubble.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #7

  • Bricks and other rubble are viewed through a wire fence. In the background are parts of the building that are still standing.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #8

  • A council sign promoting rubbish recycling is in the foreground. In the background is the front of the Town Hall. A fire truck is parked at the entrance. Two men stand next to the truck. Another group of four men stand to the right, in the distance.

    St Kilda Town Hall after 1991 fire #9

  • A fire hose and a fire ladder are propped against the front of the white Town Hall building. In the background two fire fighters stand by a fire engine
  • A fire hose and a fire ladder are propped against the front of the white Town Hall building. In the foreground is the rear of a fire engine. Another fire engine is in the background, parked at the entrance to the building, where two fire fighters are working.
  • A group of onlookers and fire fighters stand on Carlisle Street at the front end of the Town Hall. The image is taken from the other side of the street. In the foreground a car is parked on each side of the street.
  • A temporary wire chain mail fence separates lawn in the foreground from the site of the fire. On the far side of the fence is a pile of brick and other rubble and a fire truck. A firefighter is standing on the side of the truck.
  • Rubble including bricks, steel girders from a collapsed roof, and burnt furniture and other indistinguishable items, are piled in front of parts of the building that are still standing.
  • Rubble including bricks, steel girders from a collapsed roof, and burnt furniture and other indistinguishable items, are piled in front of parts of the building that are still standing.
  • Two fire fighters are seen through a wire fence stand. They stand next to a partially collapsed white wall and bricks, broken furniture and other rubble.
  • Bricks and other rubble are viewed through a wire fence. In the background are parts of the building that are still standing.
  • A council sign promoting rubbish recycling is in the foreground. In the background is the front of the Town Hall. A fire truck is parked at the entrance. Two men stand next to the truck. Another group of four men stand to the right, in the distance.

Historical information

On 1 April 1991, fire gutted the Town Hall. Arson was suspected. The municipal art collection then valued at $800,000 was lost, including Rupert Bunny’s The Forerunners, itself valued at $250,000. Community support was immediate for Mayor Melanie Eagle and her team, and a foundation stone for rebuilding was laid only a year later by Sir Zelman Cowen. Useful debates resulted from the St Kilda Town Hall fire as to the best protection of historic buildings from fire. http://skhs.org.au/SKHSbuildings/33.htm

Physical description

colour photograph

Subjects

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