The
Sydney Ghost Train fire was a fire on the night of 9 June 1979 at
Luna Park Sydney. The fire destroyed the amusement park's
ghost train, and killed six children and one adult. Inadequate fire-fighting measures and low staffing caused the fire to completely destroy the ride, which was first constructed in 1931, and had been transported from
Glenelg, South Australia to
Milsons Point, New South Walesduring 1934 and 1935.
Although electrical faults and arson by unknown figures have been claimed, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined by a
coronial inquiry. The coroner also ruled that, while the actions of Luna Park's management and staff before and during the fire (in particular their choosing not to follow advice on the installation of a sprinkler system in the ride) breached their
duty of care, charges of
criminal negligence should not be laid. The case was reopened in 1987: no new findings were made, although the police investigation and coronial inquiry were criticised. The fire forced the closure of Luna Park until 1982, when it reopened under a new name and new owners.
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