Luna Park fire: The files that linked a Sydney underworld figure to a tragedy

At 10.15 on the night of June 9, 1979, flames engulfed the ghost train at Luna Park. Six children and one adult were killed.

Nearly 30 years later in 2007, award-winning Herald investigative journalist Kate McClymont revealed claims that Australia’s most notorious crime figure Abe Saffron was behind the deadly fire at the popular fun park on the shores of Sydney Harbour.

Luna Park ghost train fire, 1979.Credit: Dallas Smith / Fairfax Media

Over three stories, her investigation spoke exclusively with Saffron’s niece as well as families of the victims for their reaction to the claims.

She also obtained files gathered by a Sydney artist Martin Sharp, who had collected an extensive collection of documents.

Front page of the Sydney Morning Herald in 2007 revealing claims of links between the ghost train fire and underworld figure Abe Saffron.Credit: SMH

Anne Buckingham, a niece of the late Abe Saffron, told McClymont: “I don’t think people were meant to be killed.”

The daughter of Saffron’s late sister and business partner Beryl Buckingham, also confirmed that - despite years of denials by Saffron - her uncle sought control of the fun park after the fire.

Saffron, who was linked to seven other blazes, was the subject of a later National Crime Authority investigation into the fires.

The NCA’s final report noted an inquiry had failed to establish that Saffron became the owner, but the authority was scathing about the original police investigation.

While the trails had gone cold, the report stated: “Luna Park, it was alleged, had been coveted by Saffron for over 20 years and the fire in the ghost train had been lit as a trigger to evict the incumbent tenants and gain control of the park lease for himself.”

Sydney artist Martin Sharp was fascinated by the ghost train story and gave a trove of documents to Kate McClymont in 2007 that formed the basis of her investigation that year.Credit: Neil Holbrook

The investigation series also revealed the truth about Abe Saffron’s crimes ... and his very powerful friends.

“He’s never killed, choked or stabbed to death anyone in the 25 years I have known him,” said the ever-ebullient property developer Warren Anderson, when asked about his appearance at Saffron’s funeral.

The Herald’s 2007 investigation also revealed that the policeman leading the inquiry into the tragedy, Detective Inspector Doug Knight, had earlier been severely criticised in the Moffitt Royal Commission for having a secret business relationship with Jack Rooklyn, an associate of Saffron’s, at the same time he was investigating the pair’s involvement in organised crime and clubs.

Commissioner Athol Moffitt, accusing Knight of lying to the commission about his relationship with Rooklyn, noted: “One instrument of organised crime was to corrupt officials.”

The 2007 Sydney Magazine article about Abe Saffron entitled King of the X.Credit: SMH

A NSW coroner, Neville Walsh, had recommended Saffron and his associate, Todor “Tosha the Torch” Maksimovic, be charged with conspiracy to commit arson and fraud. However, no charges were laid.

In 1986 the police minister asked the NCA to investigate Saffron’s alleged involvement in the fires, along with fraud, bribery and corruption of police officers, and the supply of prohibited drugs. The 17-month report, tabled in Parliament in 1989, revealed that a month after the fire, the Anglers’ Club in Crows Nest was destroyed by fire. Saffron was rumoured to own the club along with solicitor Morgan Ryan.

Over the next two years fires damaged a further six premises in which Saffron or Maksimovic either owned or leased. They included The Wonder Centre, a Kings Cross brothel, The Peak Restaurant, a gay nightclub in Bondi Junction, an abandoned disco in Bondi and Saffron’s nightclub, the Venus Room in Orwell Street, Kings Cross.

During the NCA’s inquiries it was discovered that the chief suspect for the 1981 arson on Fonzies, a video parlour in Oxford Street, was Les Murphy, who was jailed for life over the murder of nurse Anita Cobby.

The day after the fire, Murphy, who was employed by Saffron at Fonzies, had suffered unexplained burns on his arms.

The NCA’s report said Murphy “should have been the subject of further inquiries but police made none”.

The news of Saffron’s suspected involvement was met with shock by some families involved when the Herald revealed the claims.

“We have always wanted a conclusion on our son’s death,” said the parents of 13-year-old victim Jonathan Billings, Sydney and Irene, in 2007.

“Even though this knowledge has caused us shock and grief, we shall continue our journey with peace, whilst loving and caring for our children and our grandchildren.”

The devastation after the Ghost Train fire at Luna Park.Credit: SMH