{
  "id": 904242,
  "title": "The fight to protect an 85-year-old fire station and its 'haunted' history",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/the-fight-to-protect-an-85-year-old-fire-station-and-its-haunted",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T20:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-15/heritage-listing-call-for-gympie-haunted-fire-station/107024924"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Gympie Fire Station, a towering Art Deco building perched atop a ridge in the gold-rush town of Gympie, has stood for nearly a century, its presence a constant in the town. The station, built in the first years of World War II for $710,000 in 2025 terms, has evolved alongside the town, its bells and sirens an iconic part of life in Gympie. Despite its grandeur and historical significance, the station has faced challenges with modern equipment and trucks, leading to its closure earlier this year.\n\nThe building, unlike any other in Gympie, features a distinctive rounded spotter tower and exhibits the functionalist style of its inter-war construction. It has been the subject of ghost stories and paranormal experiences, adding to its allure. Historian Jack Carr, struck by the station's Art Deco flourishes, has fought for its heritage listing, arguing that preserving the site is crucial to maintaining its unique character.\n\nThe Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has explored options to offload the old site, highlighting the building's aging infrastructure and the limitations it imposes on modern firefighting equipment. Station officer Cameron Nicol, who spent nearly two decades at the station, acknowledged the building's grandeur but noted that it no longer meets the needs of contemporary firefighters, particularly due to the size of modern trucks. He expressed a hope that the building would find a new purpose, emphasizing its unique architecture and offering a view of the town from the highest point in Gympie.\n\nWhile the station's history includes a tragic incident in 1943, when a 20-year-old fire spotter fell from the spotter tower and died, the building continues to hold a special place in the hearts of residents and historians. The station's position atop the ridge, its historic charm, and the occasional paranormal experiences contribute to its enduring allure, making it a topic of fascination and debate in Gympie.",
  "summary": "The building is unlike any other in town, with even the occasional ghost story capturing the community's imagination.",
  "key_points": [
    "Gympie Fire Station, an Art Deco landmark, stands atop a ridge in Gympie.",
    "Station built in 1943 for $710,000 in 2025 terms, now faces closure due to modern equipment needs.",
    "Historian Jack Carr fights for heritage listing to preserve its unique character and ghostly allure."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}