Fire causes thousands in damages at Tannymorel Bowls Club

The destructive flames claimed entire storage areas and several pieces of equipment, but this small community outside Warwick has united in the face of near-disaster.

Scenes from the emergency efforts at the Tannymorel Bowls Club on Thursday, May 28, 2021.

It was only quick thinking from nearby residents and a true community effort that saved the Tannymorel Bowls Club from disaster after a fire destroyed thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Club secretary Diane Walsh was driving past the Oak Street grounds midmorning Thursday when she noticed dark smoke rising from the building.

Her worst fears were confirmed by both nearby council workers and residents Sonya Carr and Russell James, who saw the fire and called triple-O.

Anxiously awaiting firefighters’ arrival before moving as much equipment as possible onto the lawn greens, Mrs Walsh said although the damage was contained to two storage areas, it was still significant.

“The fire inspector said it started in a freezer that was in a storeroom, but the freezer itself was so badly damaged they couldn’t pinpoint the component or area that started the fire,” she said.

“The storeroom is just completely trashed … and my husband seems to think we’re going to need to replace the coldroom, so that’s going to be the biggest cost.

“I have to say a couple of us had a little weep yesterday, when we had no idea and thought we were in danger of losing the lot, and the years and years of work we and the community have put into it.”

Scenes from the emergency efforts at the Tannymorel Bowls Club on Thursday, May 28, 2021.

Losing freezers, a washing machine, and dozens of other supplies to the flames, Mrs Walsh said the club would be closed until further notice for repairs.

Community support has poured in for the club in the 24 hours since the fire, both on social media and in offers to pitch in during the clean-up.

Alongside Sonya and Russell and the firefighting crews, Mrs Walsh said special thanks was also owed to Killarney electrician David Weier for fixing the ceiling wiring on Thursday evening and Friday morning.

“We look on it as much as a community club as a bowls club. We’re glad we haven’t lost it, not just for our own sake but for the community’s sake,” she said.

“All of us that have put years of our effort into the place, we’re going to keep putting that effort in and we won’t let it go.

“This setback will not kill us, we’ll be back up and running as soon as possible.