I’m not sure how many people have been to places which have burnt down or caught on fire. Admittedly, having lived in Australia for two years made the chances of that higher as bushfires are common there. Still, I think it’s a little unusual to have been to a number of places that have been ravaged by fire.
The kitchen in my house, Bishan, Singapore
On fire: Ash Wednesday (the irony) early to mid 90s.
Cause: Stove fire.
Remarks: My grandmother left cooking unattended while she was on the phone. I was the only other person who was at home. I was supposed to be at church when the fire happened, but I had decided to go for a later mass. I managed to put out the fire before it got really big. The kitchen had to be renovated as the fire destroyed the hob, stove and part of the cabinets.
Mount Stromlo Observatory, Canberra, Australia | article
Visited: July 2001.
On fire: 18 January 2003.
Cause: Bushfire.
Remarks: Not many people visit Mount Stromlo (or Canberra, for that matter), so I was shocked to find out one morning that the observatory fell victim to a massive bush fire.
Victoria Ranges Indoor Rock Climbing Centre and Pistol Range, Melbourne, Australia | article
Visited: Various occasions in 2002 and 2003.
On fire: 12 November 2004.
Cause: I believe it was an accident. Can’t seem to find an article which confirms the cause.
Remarks: This place, next to a paper warehouse, was entirely gutted.
Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, Australia | article
On fire: 1 April 2005.
Visited: Just a week or two before the fire.
Cause: Out of control back-burning
Remarks: I went to Melbourne for a short break in 2005. Not long after my first-ever visit to Wilsons Prom, a major fire (apparently due to back-burning gone wrong) wiped out a lot of the vegetation.
Universal Studios, Los Angeles, USA | article
Visited: December 1995.
On fire: 2 June 2008.
Cause: Apparently, an accident.
Remarks: The animatronic King Kong that scared my brother is now no more.
So, beware if I’ve ever been to your house…
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