HISTORIC HOTEL DESTROYED
Photos: Michael Doyle
THE WESTERN Downs community has been hurt by the destruction of one of Dalby’s iconic pubs.
Mary’s Commercial Hotel was destroyed by fire early yesterday.
Fire crews battled the blaze for more than two hours from about 2am, preventing the blaze spreading to other businesses.
Residents lined Cunningham St to see the damage to the institution.
For Danni Lee, witnessing the fire brought many emotions.
Ms Lee worked at the pub for 26 years, finishing behind the bar in 2013.
She said it was a devastating day for the community, as the pub held sentimental value for many residents.
“It is devastating for the whole community because Mary was an icon but so too was the pub,” she said.
“For me it is devastating because working for Mary for so long, she was still there.”
Part of Cunningham St was closed for several hours as firefighters and police investigated the blaze.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Acting Inspector Peter McCarron said crews spent several hours dampening hot-spots yesterday.
Western Downs Mayor Paul McVeigh expressed his sorrow and described the pub as a pillar of the Dalby social community.
“I was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic fire that engulfed Mary’s Commercial Hotel; an iconic pub that holds many special memories for countless families across the Western Downs,” Cr McVeigh said.
“Mary Barry, the pub’s much-loved namesake, was much more than a smiling face behind the bar for 58 years.”