Christmas tree ablaze at Belconnen mall in overnight fire
A large decorated Christmas tree caught fire at Westfield Belconnen at 4.50am Friday and was destroyed.
Staff arriving at the Canberra shopping centre Friday morning found flames engulfing the Christmas tree in the centre court, near The Reject Shop and Harvey Norman. Firefighters arrived and quickly cut down the tree and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the mall.
The tree was fully destroyed, but a second, larger Christmas tree nearby survived unharmed. By noon, only charred remains and the damaged decorative enclosure were left.
ACT Emergency Services Agency said the fire was treated as non-suspicious.
- 4.50am Friday
- Time
- Westfield Belconnen ground floor
- Location
- The Reject Shop and Harvey Norman
- Nearby shops
- Larger Christmas tree survived
- Nearby tree
Why it mattersThe mall's holiday display is gone, likely forcing replacement before the Christmas shopping season peaks.
AustraliaCanberra shoppers will find Westfield Belconnen's Christmas décor disrupted through the festive period.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
