Vacant Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service property is fine, says DFES

DEPARTMENT of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) have dismissed a Bassendean couple’s concerns over damaged walls in the vacant Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service property.

The building and land on 10-14 Parker Street, Bassendean was listed on the State Heritage Register in February 2016.

After 101 years of operation, DFES closed the brigade in 2014.

Bassendean resident Lori Dean said she and her husband Dave saw DFES asset planning and delivery director Mike Waters and a DFES firefighter union member enter the premise about 5pm on Monday May 29.

“We live next door to the fire station,” she said.

“My husband was at the front and he spotted them and wanted to know what they were doing there.

“They were looking for some metal lockers on Monday, and they found some in the kitchen area but while they were walking inside, I noticed a lot of damage being done recently.

“In the old house, they had the picture rails going across; they have been ripped out the wall and they have left big holes in the wall.”

DFES corporate services executive director Frank Pasquale said DFES could confirm that it visited the premise on May 29.

“DFES has not removed any lockers from the building, nor are there any plans to do so,” he said.

“DFES has not undertaken any infrastructure works.”

Ms Dean said she hoped the brigade could reopen with the addition of a State Emergency Service.

“When people walk past, they always want to know when the brigade is reopening,” she said.

“Everyone wants it reopened.”

Bassendean MLA Dave Kelly, Town of Bassendean and former brigade captain Mike Smith held two meetings to explore options over the past two months.

Town community development director Graeme Haggart said a business case was being developed.

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