The Coolangatta Hotel Fire 1 January 1975
Seminar by retired police officers Ian Rogers QGM and David Lacon QGM
11:00 – 12.30
Tickets via Eventbrite or email museum@police.qld.gov.au
On 31 December 1974, just before midnight, Michael John Kelly, a disgruntled former hotel employee started a fire. The Coolangatta Hotel was old and constructed of timber, brick and fibre board. On the ground level there was an entertainment area, reception and kitchen. All of the guest rooms were on the upper level and were accessible from an internal staircase and also from the external fire escape. The fire was set in the entertainment area, directly under most of the upper floor guest rooms. When the fire took hold the plastic tables and chairs melted and gave off toxic fumes and black flecks of plastic.
In this seminar retired police officers Ian Rogers QGM and David Lacon QGM, both young constables at Coolangatta Police Station in 1975, will describe the scene and their tremendous efforts to assist with the rescue of the 36 hotel residents. Both Ian and David received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for their brave efforts on that night. This rescue mission took its toll on both of these brave officers and they have stayed good friends across their lives.
The one-and-a-half hour presentation will begin at 11am on Sunday 30 June and will provide interesting and educational content suitable for any audience.
The Museum opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm from February to November in addition to the standard Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm opening hours. Monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums.
PLEASE NOTE: The Police Museum will open Sunday 30 June from 10am to 3pm and is located on the ground floor of Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“Sunday Lecture – The Coolangatta Hotel Fire the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode