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2011

Subcollections

Roleystone Kelmscott Bushfire Collection (2011)

Overview

An aluminium cylinder narrow in the mid section, belling out towards the ends where the front lens and rear eyepiece are fitted. A steel mounting bar is clamped to the narrow centre section.
The metal has melted and pooled to a flat surface on the under side of the scope.

Historical information

The object was in the shed at 16 Bromfield Drive, Kelmscott and was melted into this shape due to the intense heat from the fire when the building was destroyed
On the morning of 6th of February 2011, a bushfire was accidentally started by an individual using an angle grinder outside, during a total fire ban. Sparks from the angle grinder set nearby dry grass on fire. High easterly winds caused this scrub fire to quickly turn into a bushfire. Over the course of the rest of the day, the fire spread westerly out of Roleystone, down the hill and into Kelmscott. 150 firefighters were on the ground during the peak of the bushfire. Residents in the path of the fire were ordered to evacuate immediately. Over 4,000 people were evacuated during the bushfire. Many families lost their homes. 69 homes were destroyed with another 71 badly damaged. Residents were evacuated to the Armadale Arena on Townly Street, which was turned into the emergency evacuation centre. Most residents spent the night there and it was not for a few days before they were allowed back into the area to see if their homes had survived.
The Armadale Arena remained a one stop resource centre for victims of the bushfire for 2 weeks after the event.
This bushfire is now regarded as one of the worst in WA history due to the number of homes lost. No one was killed during the bushfire.
For further information, see the Birtwistle Local Studies Library.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-COA2011.51

Width

295 mm

Height or length

64 mm

Depth

45 mm

Keywords

DRAPER Nic

Bromfield Drive Kelmscott

Bushfire Roleystone Kelmscott 2011

Year

2011

Statement of significance

On the 6th of February 2011, the Roleystone Kelmscott Bushfire destroyed over 70 homes in the east Kelmscott and south west Roleystone area. Residents were evacuated to the Armadale Arena, which became the centre for helping those effected by the fire. This sign was put on a notice board for people at the centre.
This was one of the worst bushfire for loss of homes in WA history. Many people lost everything in this event due to the speed of the fire.

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Rare or representative

Well provenanced

City of Armadale - History House

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