The asbestos-contaminated town of Wittenoom in Western Australia has been razed after an out-of-control bushfire destroyed many of the remaining buildings just after Christmas last year.
The abandoned town, which has been degazetted and had plans for remaining structures to be demolished, was almost entirely destroyed before the demolition work was due to begin at the end of the state’s fire season.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) explained that the fire had been started by a mining company nearby on Boxing Day. Firefighting crews were not dispatched due to the level of asbestos contamination and no immediate threat to life or property.
The fire destroyed at least two derelict buildings, but a spokesperson said that the number could be higher, with further investigations pending. The DFES spokesperson said the asbestos contamination meant an official survey had not been conducted.
A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson said the government was still working to understand the full extent of any damage, but the demolition remained scheduled to start in March after the cyclone season.