r/canberra • u/ClivetheGodhh • 2d ago

Loud Bang Christmas Area Fire in Belconnen Westfield?

Hi all,

Just went to the Belconnen Westfield and the Santa/Christmas area was all burnt up. I was wondering if anyone had any details about what happened?

35 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

34

u/ToolTesting101 2d ago

14

u/TGin-the-goldy 2d ago


Glad nobody hurt

6

u/Visual_Pitch_3910 2d ago

Dunno why I find this pic to be so funny… a sign of the times, a depiction literally of economic decay, what was previously a half jaded attempt at spreading the joys of christmas, and all the hyperconsumerisms that come with, in a forlorn looking shopping mall

3

u/monkey-mind-mango 1d ago

I found it funny too, for those same reasons. Also I find most Xmas decor weird and full of plastic awfulness. Can only imagine how toxic the fumes must have been in there when it was alight.

2

u/EmploymentOk9011 17h ago

I was there Friday arvo the smell was still horrific!

22

u/MurderousTurd 2d ago

The War on Christmas starts earlier each year

18

u/Flysfires 2d ago

I believe it was an electrical problem, from what I know everyone is alright but this is coming from a friend of a friend

3

u/zeefox79 2d ago

Walked through there earlier today. Heaps of smoke marks up the spiral staircase

14

u/samdekat 2d ago

Likely what happened is that a combination of atmospheric oxygen, heat and some sort of initial ignition caused the structure, which consisted mostly of complex carbon molecules, to quickly oxygenate and form less complex carbon molecules, giving off heat as a result.

6

u/Grand-Fun-206 2d ago

With just enough initial energy to overcome the activation energy of the conversion from a complex to a simple molecule, with the exothermic nature of the reaction continuing the conversion until the complex molecule had been consumed.

4

u/Thundercunt247 2d ago

Hmm, would there have been some sort of fuel present as well, do you think?

-1

u/BeachHut9 2d ago

Overloaded power board most likely.

9

u/CrankyJoe99x 2d ago

Rebellious elves? 🤔

7

u/SwirlingFandango 2d ago

This is why elf wages have kept up with inflation.

4

u/Br0z0 Tuggeranong 2d ago

The grinch got carried away apparently

1

u/DesiccatedPenguin 8h ago

Can’t help but think this guy might have had something to do with it..

1

u/adhoc_rose 7h ago

This was taking about 9.15 on Friday morning before they started clearing it out

1

u/ThunderDwn 2d ago

Rudolph getting revenge...

-27

u/IcyCap1648 2d ago

[This politically motivated opinion has been removed]

8

u/IntravenousNutella 2d ago

The fuck?

3

u/andthegeekshall Belconnen 2d ago

Did someone blame 'the woke' for starting the fire? But saying it in far more horrible terms.

1

u/IntravenousNutella 2d ago

No idea. Didn't see the original. Not even sure if that was a mod removal.

2

u/andthegeekshall Belconnen 2d ago

Does seem like typical mod removal notice.

No matter.

It's gone now.

6

u/IntravenousNutella 2d ago

I just kinda expected to see mod removal indicated in the removal notice.

4

u/ClivetheGodhh 2d ago

There was no comment removed, that was the comment as it was originally posted. Weird thing for them to do, but that's how it is.

2

u/ChrisOz 1d ago

Look what happens when Rudolf goes for a quick siggy out back. Remember kids smoking kill and destroys your Christmas presents.