Fire rages at the Millaquin Distillery Bundaberg 1936

The 1936 Bundaberg distillery fire was a disaster in

Bundaberg Bundaberg is a city in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia, and is the tenth largest city in the state. Bundaberg's regional area has a population of 70,921, and is a major centre of the Wide Bay–Burnett geographical region. The Bun ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia.

The fire

StateLibQld 2 392621 Fire at Millaquin Distillery, Bundaberg, Queensland, 1936

In the early evening of 21 November 1936 the

Bundaberg Rum Distillery Bundaberg Rum, colloquially known as Bundy, is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg East, Queensland, Australia, by the Bundaberg Distilling Company. In 2010, the Bundaberg Distilling Company was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall ...

was struck by lightning. The resulting explosion caused a raging inferno within minutes, as the contents of the rum vats fed the flames. There were 63 vats of rum and spirits each containing 10,000 gallons. This spectacular fire drew a large crowd of spectators and police cordoned off the area due to the intense heat. The glow from the flames could be seen as far away as Childers and Gin Gin. By midnight the flames were brought under control but the building itself was in ruins. StateLibQld 2 392217 Millaquin Distillery, after its destruction by fire, Bundaberg, Queensland, 1936

StateLibQld 2 392217 Millaquin Distillery, after its destruction by fire, Bundaberg, Queensland, 1936

The aftermath

The damage was estimated to have been approximately £200,000. No deaths or injuries were reported. The fire also had a devastating effect on the wildlife in the adjacent Burnett River with thousands of dead fish washed up on the river bank including sharks, cod, salmon and barramundi. The general manager of the distillery, which was owned by the Millaquin Sugar Company stated it was "one of the biggest fires in the history of the State". StateLibQld 1 391929 Fish killed by spillage in the Millaquin Distillery fire, Bundaberg, 1936

StateLibQld 1 391929 Fish killed by spillage in the Millaquin Distillery fire, Bundaberg, 1936

Recovery

Although it took three years the

distillery Distillation, or classical distillation, is the process of separating the components or substances from a liquid mixture by using selective boiling and condensation, usually inside an apparatus known as a still. Dry distillation is the heati ...

was rebuilt and is currently operating on the same site today.

Legacy

The

State Library of Queensland The State Library of Queensland is the main reference and research library provided to the people of the State of Queensland, Australia, by the state government. Its legislative basis is provided by the Queensland Libraries Act 1988. It contai ...

holds some of the original correspondence and financial records for the Bundaberg Distilling Co. Ltd relating to the 1936 fire.

References

External links