Pre - 1863: Seeing a need.
The settlement of Warrnambool was established in the 1840s and from this time there were several attempts at forming a Brigade, none successful. Various sources state that a Brigade was formed at a public meeting in 1859, but nothing came of it. Several major fires occurred in the town during this period of time, including the 'Bateman's Fire', reported as the first major fire, costing 30,000 pounds which was a lot of money in 1856!
Of the Batemans Fire the Warrnambool Examiner in an extraordinary edition stated "We hasten to record one of the most fearful visitations which has befallen this town and district. Between one and two o'clock this morning, a fire was discovered breaking out in the rear of Messrs. Wm. Bateman, jun, & Co.'s stores, close to the stables. In a few minutes the flames had entirely consumed the stables, and from thence communicated to the kitchen. By this time the inmates were roused, and in a state of affright, and half undressed, escaped from the flames bursting around them'. The story goes on to say that by 4 o'clock the whole of the store and dwelling-house, and the valuable quantity of goods contained there-in, presented a mess of smoking ruins.
The last significant fire before the successful formation of the Brigade was at the Flying Buck Hotel, Liebig Street Warnambool. The Warrnambool Examiner reports that at 4 o'clock on the morning of Sunday March 1st the cry of 'fire' went up when the stables at the rear of the hotel ignited. The initial fire could not be subdued so efforts were taken to stop it spreading to adjoining buildings. A strong wind was reported as blowing, sending embers across the street to other buildings, which luckily did not ignite as recent rains had dampened the shingles. Some people started clearing out their houses as they though that the whole block would burn down.
The owner of the Flying Buck, J Amon Smith, advertised a reward of 50 pounds to anyone who could provide information as to who might have lit the fire, as it was thought to be suspicious in origin.
On Friday March 6th another advertisment appeared in The Examiner, giving notice of a public meeting to be held that night at 8 o'clock at the Flying Buck Hotel for the purpose of establishing a fire brigade. This time it worked.
Of the Batemans Fire the Warrnambool Examiner in an extraordinary edition stated "We hasten to record one of the most fearful visitations which has befallen this town and district. Between one and two o'clock this morning, a fire was discovered breaking out in the rear of Messrs. Wm. Bateman, jun, & Co.'s stores, close to the stables. In a few minutes the flames had entirely consumed the stables, and from thence communicated to the kitchen. By this time the inmates were roused, and in a state of affright, and half undressed, escaped from the flames bursting around them'. The story goes on to say that by 4 o'clock the whole of the store and dwelling-house, and the valuable quantity of goods contained there-in, presented a mess of smoking ruins.
The last significant fire before the successful formation of the Brigade was at the Flying Buck Hotel, Liebig Street Warnambool. The Warrnambool Examiner reports that at 4 o'clock on the morning of Sunday March 1st the cry of 'fire' went up when the stables at the rear of the hotel ignited. The initial fire could not be subdued so efforts were taken to stop it spreading to adjoining buildings. A strong wind was reported as blowing, sending embers across the street to other buildings, which luckily did not ignite as recent rains had dampened the shingles. Some people started clearing out their houses as they though that the whole block would burn down.
The owner of the Flying Buck, J Amon Smith, advertised a reward of 50 pounds to anyone who could provide information as to who might have lit the fire, as it was thought to be suspicious in origin.
On Friday March 6th another advertisment appeared in The Examiner, giving notice of a public meeting to be held that night at 8 o'clock at the Flying Buck Hotel for the purpose of establishing a fire brigade. This time it worked.