Vandals trash fire memorial

Mindless act angers Lara brigade

A LARA memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives during the township’s 1969 bushfire has been damaged by vandals.

The local fire bridge said a plaque near the town’s library listing the 17 names of those who lost their lives had been drilled off the memorial (pictured right) and removed.

“It was not just a random act, a person has actually drilled out the rivets holding the names of the people who died in the fires and also damaged with the drill the enamelled oval dedication plaque. If anyone saw a person doing this please contact Lara police,” the brigade said in a statement.

“The Lara Fire Brigade will be raising funds to repair, replace and restore the memorial.

“While this memorial does not belong to Lara Fire Brigade it is important to many of our life members and long serving members who fought the fires as young members of the brigade so many years ago.

“I am sure there will be many other community members that will also be equally upset to see the wilful damage caused by the person/s who did this very selfish act.”

The memorial was erected in 2009 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the fires.

On January 8 in 1969, 23 people were killed in fires across the state, including 17 motorists who became trapped on the Princes Freeway at Lara.

Sergeant Greg Taylor said police were aware of the incident and are investigating.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.