Major Gas Explosion at Kogarah – 4 December 1995

Fire and blast at Amusement Zone in Kogarah, 4 December 1995 [Museum of Fire Collection]

On Monday, 4 December 1995, a quiet afternoon in Kogarah was shattered by a devastating gas explosion at a family amusement centre on Railway Street. What began as a report of a strong smell of gas quickly escalated into one of the most serious incidents the area had seen in decades. Firefighters from No. 021 Kogarah and No. 029 Rockdale were dispatched at 2:00pm, but before crews could fully assess the situation, two powerful explosions ripped through the premises, hurling debris up to 20 metres from the building.

Recognising the severity of the incident, Station Commander Robert Finlay issued a “Red Message” requesting significant reinforcements. Appliances and firefighters from No. 020 Hurstville and No. 052 Campsie soon arrived on scene and swiftly began assisting firefighters in containing the burning gas and cooling surrounding exposures, despite the building continuing to vent explosive concentrations of gas.

At approximately 3:30 pm, as crews worked across multiple sectors, a gas reignition occurred, tragically injuring eight firefighters.  Firefighters Glynn Woodward and Mark Melville from Kogarah Station both suffered burns to their faces, with Woodward also sustaining burns to his neck. Ray Dixon, also from Kogarah, received similar facial burns.  From Hurstville Station, James Harris and Kevin O’Connor each sustained flash burns to their faces, while Station Commander Bill Mansfield suffered burns to both his face and hands.  Although all were wearing full structural PPE, the flash flame pushed heat up beneath their visors, causing burns to their faces and necks. Ambulance crews provided immediate treatment, and the firefighters were transported to St George Hospital. Station Commander Ron Finlay from Kogarah Fire Station and Station Commander Fernando Martin from Rockdale Fire Station received slight burns to the face but required no medical attention and remained at the scene.

In addition to the eight firefighters who sustained injuries, the explosion also caused harm to eleven civilians and two police officers. Tragically, two of the injured civilians, both male, succumbed to their critical conditions in the hospital.

Unveiling of the memorial plaque of the gas explosion at Kogarah, 4 December 1996 [Museum of Fire Collection]

The investigation later determined that the initial explosion resulted from the ignition of natural gas leaking from a damaged underground connection outside the building. The gas had migrated beneath the footpath, seeped through soil and voids, and accumulated beneath the structure until it finally reached a flammable concentration. A subsequent explosion in the sub-floor area caused further structural failure, long after firefighting operations had commenced. The gas supply to the premises was not fully shut down until 5:40pm, over three hours after the first blast. Finally, at 6:05pm, Superintendent Ray Kelly sent the stop message. Despite the extreme conditions, firefighters continued to operate with professionalism and determination. Operational Commander Inspector Paul Drayton later commended all crews for their efforts under such hazardous circumstances.

Community Impact and Lasting Change

The tragedy had a profound effect on the local community. In response, Kogarah Council introduced a fire awareness program aimed at improving public understanding of fire safety and the NSW Fire Brigades (now Fire and Rescue NSW) role. An offshoot of this initiative was a dedicated smoke alarm awareness campaign, officially launched in April 1996. As part of its commitment, the Kogarah Council allocated $620,000 (approximately $1,322,750 today) to install hard-wired smoke alarms in the homes of aged pensioners receiving rate rebates, an early example of large-scale community smoke-alarm support.

More than 1000 school children from 10 surrounding schools and 500 adults were brought to Belgrave Street, Kogarah to watch firefighters in action in a day long series of displays and talks at the launch of Kogarah Council and Region South's joint Fire Prevention Education Program (FPEP) at 9am on 19 April 1996 [Museum of Fire Collection]

The Kogarah gas explosion remains a significant event in the history of the NSW Fire Brigades, remembered for the bravery of the responding crews and the important safety reforms that followed.

-Blog by Acting Curator Ella Murtagh