The CFA was called to a fire on Gilbert Street at Torquay at 11.22pm on Sunday 14th April.
On arrival, firefighters found the restaurant well alight and it was impacting neighbouring shops.
At Monday night's August 5th 2024 Meeting, we were privileged to hear from both Tim Carson from McCartney Real Estate and Murray Middleton from the Torquay CFA regarding the fire.
Tim is a licensed estate agent and Director of McCartney Real Estate, whose business premises was severely damaged by the fire at Gilbert Street.
Murray is the Captain of the Torquay CFA, and was one of the respondent firefighters to attend the scene and help fight the fire.
Tim outlined the devastation that confronted him when in the early hours of the morning he was alerted to the fire and went down to the site. There was very little to be salvaged from the site, but remarkably, the real estate agent's key safe, containing keys to the hundreds of properties the agent has under management, was able to be rescued almost fully intact.
Murray gave us great insight into the response from the volunteer firefighters to the fire. The CFA had 13 vehicles on the scene supported by FRV crews. It took until after 3 am in the morning to have the fire fully controlled. Unfortunately, 6 businesses were heavily damaged by the fire, but the work of the firefighting crews managed to control the fire so that it didn't progress further into the neighbouring IGA Supermarket and adjoining premises.
We wish all the affected businesses our best wishes as they rebuild their businesses and get themselves "back on their feet".
In other matters, Tim gave us a brief update on the "state of the market" with some local real estate news. He was also able to discuss the positive impact that the McCartney Foundation is having on the local community. McCartney Real Estate makes a financial contribution to it's foundation from every property that they sell. It was also great to hear that local clubs are benefiting from sponsorship from McCartney's, such as the local Torquay Tigers Football and Netball Club.
On behalf of the club, we thank Tim and Murray for their interesting presentations and for their work in the local Surf Coast community.
Ben Featherston
