This is a view of the Hotel Kosciusko before the fire of 1951.

This is a view of the Hotel Kosciusko before the fire of 1951.

At 4.00 am on 18 April, 1951, the Hotel Kosciusko caught fire and, within one hour, had burnt to the ground. Responding to the lights going out, nightwatchman, Don Johnston, and painter, Jack Miller, went to the switchboard only to be greeted by an explosion and flames as they approached the door.

Hotel engineer, Albert Hutchison, rang rang the fire bell to alert the 20 staff and 95 guests which resulted in all lives being saved.

Woken by the fire bell, manager, George Petersen, ran upstairs to ensure that all guests had heard the bell. He was glad to see everyone leaving their rooms, most in night attire, and no sign of panic.

By this time, many of the staff were manning fire hoses but they were driven back by the ferocity of the flames and falling debris.

The staff quarters building received major damage, losing its roof and windows but the concrete walls survived.

At 4.00 am on 18 April, 1951, the Hotel Kosciusko caught fire and, within one hour, had burnt to the ground. Responding to the lights going out, nightwatchman, Don Johnston, and painter, Jack Miller, went to the switchboard only to be greeted by an explosion and flames as they approached the door.

Hotel engineer, Albert Hutchison, rang rang the fire bell to alert the 20 staff and 95 guests which resulted in all lives being saved.

Woken by the fire bell, manager, George Petersen, ran upstairs to ensure that all guests had heard the bell. He was glad to see everyone leaving their rooms, most in night attire, and no sign of panic.

By this time, many of the staff were manning fire hoses but they were driven back by the ferocity of the flames and falling debris.

The staff quarters building received major damage, losing its roof and windows but the concrete walls survived.

Petersen then went to the office with Arthur Rixon to try to save some records. He only had time to open the safe and retrieve £1,500. They then went to the passageway where most of the trophies and historic artefacts were displayed, but found its too dangerous to proceed. Thus all trophies and artefacts were lost.

Petersen then went to the office with Arthur Rixon to try to save some records. He only had time to open the safe and retrieve £1,500. They then went to the passageway where most of the trophies and historic artefacts were displayed, but found its too dangerous to proceed. Thus all trophies and artefacts were lost.

The first floor ballroom and the roof of the staff quarters on fire.

The first floor ballroom and the roof of the staff quarters on fire.

The fire hose was still in use on the burning staff quarters after dawn.

The fire hose was still in use on the burning staff quarters after dawn.

Only the stone entrance to the hotel and other stone/concrete elements remain.

Only the stone entrance to the hotel and other stone/concrete elements remain.

The solid concrete staff quarters survived the fire but was substantially damaged and lost most of its wooden windows and the roof.

The solid concrete staff quarters survived the fire but was substantially damaged and lost most of its wooden windows and the roof.

The chimneys and the front stone arch were all that remained of the main building.

The chimneys and the front stone arch were all that remained of the main building.

By summer 1952, the government had replaced the roof and the windows in the staff quarters building and that was the way it remained until Tony Sponar took over the lease in 1959. Before Sponar took over the building, campers had, from time to time, used the lower level, open and unheated, for overnight stays.

In the background one can see some of the hotel out buildings which survived the fire.

By summer 1952, the government had replaced the roof and the windows in the staff quarters building and that was the way it remained until Tony Sponar took over the lease in 1959. Before Sponar took over the building, campers had, from time to time, used the lower level, open and unheated, for overnight stays.

In the background one can see some of the hotel out buildings which survived the fire.