Venue fire turns wedding into a ‘blazing’ success
A BRIDE and groom plus guests were forced to flee their party after a fire broke out at the heritage-listed Manly Yacht Club on Saturday night.
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A bride and groom plus guests were forced to flee their party after a fire broke out at the heritage-listed Manly Yacht Club on Saturday night.
But newlyweds James and Katrina King say they have been assured that the fire, triggered by a faulty barbecue, is a sign that their marriage will be a “blazing success”.
Mr King told the Manly Daily: “It happened so quickly.
“Within seconds it went from a small flame under the barbecue and spread.
“There wasn’t even time to put it out with extinguishers.
“Someone shouted out that there were gas bottles and that we should all get out.
“It was amazing how quickly the fireys turned up and put it out.”
Fortunately no one was injured and the cake was saved. It was later cut during a celebration at the nearby Manly 16’ Skiff Club.
Club president Cary Budd said the fire broke out about 6.30pm when a barbecue on the outside deck malfunctioned.
“We recently fitted it out with gas lines to big bottles that are on the outside and once the flames got into the gas lines, the place turned into a Roman candle,” he said.
Mr Budd said firefighters were quickly on the scene and broke in to the gas cylinder locker and turned off the large gas bottles.
He added that the building sustained only limited damage.
The roof over the outside deck and part of one wall of the club was damaged but the club was still able to conduct its last race of the winter season on Sunday and hopes to be ready for its next wedding function, which is booked for September 2.
Mr King meanwhile described the commotion as “a pretty crazy evening”.
“We were married in the UK and had just returned to Australia,” he said.
“Our families live in the UK but most of our friends live here, so we wanted to have an Aussie wedding function.
“People have been making jokes about our marriage likely to be a blazing success and one said something about Poms and The Ashes.
“We live in Manly and that side of Manly Cove has great views.”
Mr King said he was impressed “how beautiful, cool and composed” his wife remained throughout the drama.
Northern Beaches Council deputy general manager Ben Taylor said the council is assessing the damage to the council-owned heritage-listed building.
“The area will be shored up to make it safe while assessment is undertaken and a plan for rectification agreed with the club, he said.”
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