Fire tragedy file shut

THE book is now closed on damage claims resulting from the Bells Creek fires of November 8, 1994.

Press spokesman for Emergency Services Minister Mick Vievers said the final claim, by Digby McLeay of the Palmwoods Rural Fire Brigade, had now been finalised.

"Settlement has been reached and there are now no outstanding claims from Bells Creek," he said.

He said he could not release the amount of compensation paid.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr John McCarthy said Mr McLeay had telephoned him in a very distressed state on the night of December 22, 1995. He said Mr McLeay suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the aftermath of the fire which had injured his Palmwoods firefighting colleagues.