Australian bushfire destroys radio clubhouse

December 24, 2009 by Arvadmin

A wildfire fanned by strong hot northerly winds hit the edge of Port Lincoln in eastern South Australia destroying 12 homes and the clubrooms of the Lower Eyre Peninsula Amateur Radio Club VK5ALE.

The Club President, Michael Carey VK5ZEA reported that in the fire on 23 December the club has also lost a collection of historical radios and historical records dating back to its founding 30 years ago.

In a YouTube video, Michael VK5ZEA graphically shows the twisted rubble that once was the clubhouse. The club’s three amateur repeaters located elsewhere were not lost.

Also sharing the destroyed is the local unit of the State Emergency Services which lost communications and other equipment plus a volunteer’s car.

The fire burnt 640 hectares of land, and apart from the loss of homes numerous farm animals, sheds and fences were lost.

The blaze two days before Christmas occurred during South Australia’s worst fire risk day of the summer so far.

A cool weather change enabled firefighters to bring the blaze under control. Its cause in the mostly rural area is being investigated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_yHlgI9Jqs