A shocking blaze left the town of Baralaba reeling last weekend as their beloved pub went up in flames early on the Saturday morning.
The historic Baralaba Hotel, approximately 150 kilometres southwest of Rockhampton, had recently been refurbished and listed for sale.
The popular watering hole was also only a week away from hosting the popular Baralaba Bash.
“It is with devastation that we announce the loss of Baralaba Hotel. During the night a fire started in the hotel with no hope of saving the building. We are grateful that no one was hurt and thank the numerous people and services that attended,” said a post on the pub’s Facebook page.
Baralaba firefighters responded, later joined by crews from Moura, Biloela and Thangool, with firefighters finally extinguishing the blaze around 5.40am.
It was reported that part of the roof collapsed from the blaze, and while no-one was hurt in the fire, 13 people including two children were safely evacuated.
The Baralaba Hotel has operated under several names, since 1929. Licensee Jason Simmons has hopes to rebuild in the same spot, estimating that it will take a year or two.
However, his first thought was for staff, promising that they would be kept on for two weeks while his other businesses and local people in the industry looked to find new positions for them.
It has also left organisers scrambling to relocate the Baralaba Bash, a country music festival held annually and expected to bring around 4,000 people to the town.
While the event will go ahead, it will be moved to the local sports grounds, where organisers have put out the call for further volunteers to take on the extra work involved.
“It’s a small town and the whole reason behind the Baralaba Bash was to get Baralaba on the map to make sure everyone in Australia knew where it was,” said Simmons.
Patrick Hollands, Moura Fire Station captain, said the disaster was a huge loss for the town, requiring the call to four regional crews to assist the Baralaba firefighters.
Neville Ferrier, Banana Shire Mayor, said the pub has been central to the community, promising the council would do everything in its power to help get it back up and running.
“That’s where the school raises their money, the golf club, junior rugby league, everything… everything comes out of the hotel. It’s a meeting place for everybody, women can come and get a good cup of coffee – everybody can come and have a good feed here,” he said.
Support has been overwhelming, coming in from far and wide.
Pubs such as Deepwater Top Pub, 300 kilometres away, responded to the Baralaba Hotel’s Facebook post.
“One of my favourite pubs! My Monday Rump is a great memory. Glad everyone is safe. It’s devastating for so many! As a publican I can’t begin to imagine the sadness of losing an iconic building and a business,” it said.
Last year, The Morning Bulletin recognised Baralaba Hotel as “Central Queensland’s best pub for 2023”.
Simmons will be in talks with assessors and liquor licensing to focus on the next steps to reopening, while fire investigators are still to determine the cause of the blaze.
