One of Brisbane’s largest fires in history occurred 60 years ago when the Paddington Tram Depot fire destroyed 67 trams, more than 20 per cent of the city’s entire fleet. Here’s a look back.
In the early evening of 28 Sept 1962, residents near the two-storey depot alerted the staff about sparks underneath the facility. Though the actual site where the fire started was never determined, many believed that the spark came from the storage area.
Whilst waiting for the firefighters, some of the staff attempted to drive the trams out of the site and at least three were rescued before the fire eventually cut the electricity.
Firefighters were challenged to control the blaze due to very low water pressure. It did not help that the Paddington Tram Depot had heaps of tyres, oil and grease as well, due to the nature of its operation.
As the fire progressed, it was becoming clearer that the building would collapse and can no longer be saved. Thus, the local fighters shifted their focus to ensure that the blaze will not impact neighbouring homes and buildings. Dozens of residents packed their belongings within a flash and evacuated away from the site.
Firefighters called to the scene recalled that the depot continued to smoke and burn for over a week.
Unfortunately, the trams and the depot were not insured and various conspiracy theories snowballed about its fate. Prior to the fire, plans have been discussed to replace the trams with buses from private operators.
A year after the Paddington Tram Depot fire, however, tram lines in Bulimba, Kalinga, Rainworth, and Toowong were switched to bus routes. Brisbane City Council had to ask help from New South Wales Transport Department for additional buses.
The tram system officially ended in April 1969. The former Paddington Tram Depot, on the hand, was sold and redeveloped as Paddington Central in the 1980s.
Photo Credit: BCC
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Tramway Museum in Ferny Grove has commemorated the Paddington Tram Depot fire every year. The museum’s vice president, Peter Hyde, believes that it’s still important to keep the history of Brisbane’s tram system alive.
“People enjoy reliving the time of their parents and grandparents,” Mr Hyde said in a radio interview. “They can see how these past events have led to the nature of the city at the present time and possibly give an indication of how the city will continue to develop in the future.”
