Wigan backpacker recalls horrific fire at Australian hostel on 20th anniversary

Keith O’Brien was staying at the Childers Palace backpackers’ hostel in Queensland, Australia, when a massive blaze broke out in the early hours of June 23, 2000.

Then 22 years old, Keith managed to escape and helped to save the life of his room mate, but sadly 15 people died.

Keith, from Shevington, appeared in newspapers and on television screens around the globe at the time, speaking about the horrific event that happened as he was backpacking around Australia.

Now, 20 years later, he has appeared in an 18-episode podcast series by Paul Cochrane, who was the first TV reporter at the scene and covered what happened for several years after.

Paul, who now lives in Sydney, said: “Fifteen people passed and 69 managed to get out and there were a lot of people in and around the community, but I always thought there was a longer form story to tell.”

He started to contact people around the world affected by the fire and top of the list was the man from Wigan he met 20 years ago.

Keith features in the ninth episode, in which he details what happened when the fire broke out and how he saved Kelly Symonds, who was sleeping in the same room.

Paul said: “He played a very heroic role in that fire. He was in a room of two. There were a lot of different configurations of rooms - some had 20, some four, some 10, some two like his.

“He was in a room with a girl from Wales, Kelly Symonds. She hasn’t been interviewed in the podcast. Her two friends perished in the fire and it has been a difficult time for her. She absolutely credits her life to Keith getting her out of that building that night.”

Keith, a former student at Wigan and Leigh College, spoke about smoke alarms at the hostel, which were reported to have been disconnected so did not alert the backpackers to the fire.

Paul said: “One of the things Keith has been strong on is the negligence around smoke alarms. I think he has made some very valid points about what could have been if smoke alarms were operational and in working order. I can absolutely understand his despair at what could have been around smoke alarms.”

Keith was the first of the survivors that Paul met while reporting from the fire and describes him as a “very likeable lad”.

They met when Paul went to call a national radio programme from a telephone box near the hostel.

He said: “I went to phone a radio station and Keith was sitting there on the footpath. They all got out with no clothes - everything they owned had burned - and one of the charity stores opened their doors and let them get whatever they wanted. Keith got himself this very old-fashioned suit. It was a beige suit and he had a tie.

“Keith certainly struck me very early on. I seem to recall making some comment to him about his suit and I struck up a conversation. I do remember encouraging him to call home with any change I had left in my pocket.”

The fire had a devastating impact on hundreds of people’s lives and while Paul said some still did not feel able to talk about what happened, for others appearing in the podcast had been a cathartic experience.

A memorial has been placed at the site of the hostel in Childers and Paul has offered his recordings for use there to give visitors an account of what happened from those involved.

Itinerant fruit picker Robert Paul Long,was given a life sentence after being found guilty of murder and arson charges in March 2002.

He has recently made an application for parole, having served the minimum term of 20 years.

To find out more about the podcast and how to listen to it, go to paulcochrane.com.au.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:

You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.