Party got just a little bit fiery

By Jade Lawton
The spritely octogenarian, who has lived in Kooweerup all her life, was celebrating her birthday with about 60 family members at the town’s Royal Hotel on Sunday when they noticed flames coming from the ceiling.
Her quick-thinking sons, Wayne and Neville Esler, grabbed fire-extinguishers and put out the fire while bar staff dialled 000.
“It was a very nice birthday. The ending was a bit fiery, wasn’t it – the crackers were out without permission,” she laughed.
June had finished her birthday meal of lamb cutlets and vegetables and was preparing to head off when the incident happened. “I thought it was exciting, we stayed and watched. But every birthday I have is exciting,” she said.
June’s daughter, Star News Group advertising account executive Di O’Hehir, said it was lucky the lunch party was still around to spot the fire.
“The flames went across the ceiling. We were on the way out, and if it had happened half an hour later we probably wouldn’t have been there,” she said.
Kooweerup CFA 2nd Lieutenant Michael Huxtable said three appliances were called to the scene at 3.40pm.
“It appears the air-conditioner duct melted and caught on fire and smoked the building out. The building was evacuated and the fire put out with a chemical extinguisher,” he said.
June said she had no hard feelings towards the Royal Hotel, and said she was friends with one of the part-owners.
She wasn’t sure how she would top the memorable occasion for her next birthday.
“You never know what might happen, but I’ve got to get there first,” she said.