Our Story MFB The Fire Response

Disclaimer: The following includes graphic content that might disturb some readers.

In April 1996 nine men were killed in a fire that swiftly and violently engulfed their unit at Kew Cottages, a residential institution for people with intellectual disability.

The Fire Response

At around 10.49pm on 8 April 1996, a male resident set light to bedding in a room that he shared with Thomas Grant and Shayne Newman. Over the following seven minutes flames steadily grew, creating choking, poisonous smoke. The two night staff who were in charge of 45 residents in what was popularly known as Unit 30/31, were unaware of the dire events that were about to unfold. At 10.56pm, MFB responded to an automatic fire alarm. By 11.01pm three fire appliances were onsite.

By the time firefighters started to battle the blaze it had taken hold with flames erupting 20 metres in the air. Smoke was billowing from the building and an orange glow lit the night sky. Residents were being evacuated by staff but many tried to return to their bedrooms in the burning building. Firefighters and staff were sometimes physically challenged by frightened and dazed evacuees.

Michael Giacomi was amongst the first group of firefighters to tackle the fire. As he and fellow firefighter Graham Smith entered the premises they were met with thick smoke and intense heat. Michael Giacomi’s description illustrated the terror of those trapped inside:

When I first arrived on scene I heard a whole lot of screaming … they appeared to come from the area that we were trying to attack, it was beyond the area that we could access … I was unable to get beyond the door at the end of the small corridor and it appeared this was the main area of the fire and the area where the screams came from.[i]

The Coroner concluded that all the men died from carbon monoxide poisoning and burns. An MFB report determined that the men died within six minutes and 30 seconds from the fire’s ignition.[i] As the fire alarm was not raised until seven minutes 45 seconds later, we can assume that the cries Michael heard were not from those who died.

At 12.22am on 9 April the fire was declared to be ‘under control’. By this time the site was a hive of activity. MFB alone had 113 personnel, 21 fire appliances and 23 other vehicles in attendance.[ii]

Fire Investigations

Investigations by MFB and Victoria Police confirmed that the most probable cause of the fire was bedding having been set alight with a cigarette lighter. A resident was identified as the likely perpetrator but was not charged due to a lack of criminal intent.

Public outcry in Australia and overseas led to calls for a Royal Commission to investigate the fire and deaths of the nine men.[i] This was never instigated and information about the fire was reliant upon investigations conducted by MFB, Victoria Police and a Coronial Inquest that was held.

The re-enactment was attended by members of the Inquest, MFB, Victoria Police and other interested parties. Fire personnel were onsite in case the fire got out of control. The re-enactment was recorded for research and as possible evidence. John Kelleher recalled that this large scale test confirmed the speed and ferocity of the blaze:

The results of the joint investigation provided critical evidence for the Coroner’s Inquest and contributed to improved safety measures being implemented in State facilities across Victoria.

John Kelleher recognised that the collaborative nature of the investigation furthered positive relationships between Victoria Police and MFB, ‘as joint exercises go it was absolutely huge, we had a marvellous relationship with the Fire Service. It was a terrible thing to happen, but some good came out of it in terms of the relationship between the Police and the Fire Service, and the development of cooperative procedures.’[i]

The work of MFB and Victoria Police resulted in the lives of others in State care being better protected through improved fire safety measures being introduced. In particular, the Victorian Government allocated $75.5 million to continue audits of fire safety and works in State facilities.

The Inquest into the Kew fire was one of the longest Coronial Inquests in the State’s history; sitting for 81 days with findings handed down on 17 October 1997.

The deaths of Ronald, Adrian, Thomas, Bruce, Stanley, Alan, Shayne, Peter and Joseph are forever remembered in a memorial within the old grounds of Kew Cottages.

(This information was based on the chapter, ‘Walking Ghosts’, from the book Bye-bye Charlie: Stories from the Vanishing World of Kew Cottages, written by Corinne Manning, UNSW Press 2008.

[i] Witness Statement of Michael Giacomi, ‘Investigation into fatal fire at Kew Residential Services on 8th April, 1996’, prepared by Victoria Police Arson Squad, Folio 2. [ii] Graeme Johnstone, Inquest Findings, Comments and Recommendations into Fire and Nine Deaths at Kew Residential Services on 8 April 1996, Melbourne, State Coroner’s Office, 1997, p. 229.