Hotel fire sends toxic fumes over North Adelaide
Toxic fumes are blowing through in inner-North Adelaide suburb Gilberton after a fire ripped through a historic hotel.
Police are investigating the circumstances behind The Buckingham Arms Hotel fire and have urged nearby residents to stay indoors to avoid the fumes.
The fire broke out around 11am Saturday and it took 65 firefighters approximately 90 minutes to battle the blaze. Their job was made harder by the condition of the hotel which has been boarded up since 2022.
Several road closures and traffic diversions were made with Walkerville Terrace and Northcote Terrace closed to all traffic in all directions. The public was advised to avoid the area.
“The pub has been vacant for a while and I believe they’ve had development plans to put flats there,” local Dylan Lawrence told the Adelaide Advertiser.
The Buckingham Arms Hotel first opened its doors in 1846 but has been vacant for the past two years as Adelaide developer Citify proposed to build a 10-storey apartment building on the site, which would include using the current historic building as a restaurant.
Police haven’t ruled out suspicious activity and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Jonathan Jackson, 18th November 2024
