The Strand Arcade Fire - 26 May 1976

In the early hours of 26 May 1976, one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings was lit up with flames that left it in ruins. Built in 1891, the Strand Arcade is Sydney's last remaining Victorian shopping arcade dating to the late 19^th Century. The arcade had been a thriving hub within Sydney in the early 20^th Century, providing shoppers and pedestrians with a quiet respite from the increasingly crowded and bustling streets. As one of the first places in the city with electrical illumination, many people travelled by tram from the suburbs to see the lights and tastefully designed interior. By the 1950s the arcade had fallen into disrepair, and restoration work was carried out in 1974.

Firefighters examine the exterior facade of the Strand Arcade, 26 May 1976 [Museum of Fire collection]

The initial alarm of fire was raised at 3:23am on 26 May 1976 when the basement of the western end of the Strand Arcade caught fire. Crews from Headquarters’ Station made up the initial response at the Arcade, sending their flying motor, runner, salvage and turntable ladders.  Further assistance came in the form of appliances from Pyrmont, The Rocks and Darlinghurst Fire Stations. Despite the arrival of these additional crews, more Red messages were sent out over the next 40 minutes and crews from six more stations were dispatched. The fire that had originally started in the basement had spread to the ground and upper floors. As firefighters were putting water on the flames and attempting to contain them to the interior of the building, another fire was observed at Harpoon Harry's further down George Street from the top of Headquarters’ turntable ladders. Crews from Pyrmont raced down to contain the new threat, and more crews from Balmain, Leichhardt, Crows Nest and Neutral Bay made their attendance at the Strand Arcade known.

The radiant heat of the fire reached critical levels, causing the glass roof at the George Street end of the Arcade to explode. Firefighters were forced to withdraw, and efforts were instead focused on stopping the spread of the fire to nearby buildings. The fire produced large amounts of embers which were carried to neighbouring buildings. Crews scrambled to put out these spotfires when Nicholson’s Music House in the neighbouring building caught fire. The activation of the building's internal sprinkler and water delivery systems provided a brief respite in the rapid spread of flames.

Fire crews extinguishing remaining pockets of fires in the Strand Arcade after the Stop order was issued [Museum of Fire Collection]

Control of the flames was finally wrested, and the Stop order was given at 5:36am, two hours after crews were called to the site of the fire. Although the fire had been suppressed, extensive fire duty and cleaning up operations took place over the next two days. One third of the building had suffered fire damage over its three levels. The damage to the historic building was so extensive that it was feared that the façade collapse, leading to the decision by Police to restrict access to the streets surround the Arcade.

Despite the fears, the building’s façade remained standing and extensive, sympathetic restorations began to take place. Considerable work was undertaken in restoring the damage, including the restoration of two hydraulic lifts and the hand-carved cedar baluster posts. The opportunity was also taken to remove additions that had spoiled the original design of the Arcade. The shopping precinct was reopened in 1977. The Strand Arcade is still operating today, serving as a major landmark of Victorian design in the Sydney CBD.

~Story by Museum of Fire Heritage Team