Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club fire: Donation plea after heartbreaking blaze
A devastating fire at a northern beaches sailing club has left its members pleading with the public to help it rise from the ashes as police investigate the cause of the blaze.
Manly
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Heartbroken members and officials of a popular northern beaches sailing club have started a public fundraising campaign after a devastating weekend fire.
All 24 sail boats stored in the not-for-profit Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club as well as two motorised safety boats and thousands of dollars in spare parts and equipment cannot be salvaged.
An adjoining private stand-up paddleboard and kayak hire business, Jamieson Park Paddle, has also been left reeling from the blaze that broke out on Saturday night.
NSW Fire and Rescue received multiple triple zero calls about 5.30pm on Saturday reporting that building, owned by Northern Beaches Council on the southern edge of Narrabeen Lagoon, was well alight.
Local brigades, including Narrabeen, Dee Why, Avalon and Mona Vale, had to draw water from the lagoon to fight the fire because there were no fire hydrants available.
The 30 firefighters managed to get the fire under control by about 6.30pm, but not before large sections of the roof and walls collapsed.
Northern Beaches Police and NSW Fire and Rescue investigators have declared it a crime scene.
Shattered sailing club captain Jonny Harrison said the club has about 120 members and had just signed up 30 children for a learn to sail program over summer.
He said the sailing season, which normally runs from September through to Easter, but had been delayed due to Covid lockdowns, had just started.
“Our kids were looking forward to the weekend, to getting out on the water for the first time since Easter. They were really excited to be down at the club and getting back into it.
“Now this has happened, so there are a lot of upset kids unfortunately.
“There is going to be very little if anything we can salvage.
“It looks like there’s nothing left, to be honest.”
Mr Harrison said even though the club, which has been in the Jamison Park premises for about 40 years, has insurance, it had now started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover any shortfalls.
About 14 sailing boats owned by the club were in the building along with another 10 boats belonging to members.
“There were a lot of life jackets in there, the markers we put out in the water for the races and a lot of perpetual trophies we store in the club, spares, tools and equipment, they’re all gone.
“Insurance will cover some of this, but we don’t expect it will cover the full replacement value.”
Mr Harrison said the club was talking with other sailing clubs around Sydney, including the Middle Harbour Sailing Club and Prince Alfred Yacht Club at Newport, about allowing its members to sail with them.
Engineers and a work crew from the council were due to visit the site on Monday to inspect the building and shore up the damaged structure to allow police and Fire and Rescue investigators inside.
Council CEO Ray Brownlee said he was saddened to hear of the fire.
“We’ve been in touch with both tenants and will keep them updated on the situation.”
If anyone has information about the incident, they are encouraged to contact the local police or Crime Stopper on 1800 333 000.
The Manly Daily has contacted the owner of Jamieson Park Paddle for comment.
If you would like to help the club with a donation click here.
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