Fire in Communist Party headquarters

In the early morning of Sunday December 14, our Party building 
in Sydney suffered a fire which appears to have been deliberately 
lit. There is no indication of any political motive. Substantial 
damage was done to the top floor and an attic type structure 
above the top floor was completely burnt out.

Both the fire brigade and the police acted quickly and the fire 
was soon put out. Their quick action prevented much more 
extensive damage. However, all floors suffered water, smoke and 
soot damage. For a time both the electricity and phones were cut 
off. A number of computers have been made unusable.

We have been informed that two persons have now been officially 
charged by the police over the incident and will in due course 
appear before a magistrate. One of the persons now charged 
suffered very serious injuries when he jumped from the roof of an 
adjoining building.

The Guardian and Party staff and other volunteers have 
worked hard to help clean the building sufficient to enable 
The Guardian to resume publication and for the Party's 
work in our headquarters to continue.

We apologise for the one week's delay in publication of The 
Guardian but this is the reason.

Apart from the necessary cleaning and some essential structural 
repairs such as the replacement of damaged doors and the 
replacement of one computer, further structural repairs and 
replacement of equipment are awaiting an OK from our insurance 
company.

The full restoration of the building will probably take several 
months. However, this repair work is not likely to greatly 
restrict the work of either The Guardian or Party 
organisations.

One of the most serious aspects of the fire is the loss of most 
of the Party's archives which were stored in the attic.

We wish to convey our thanks to those who have assisted in the 
clean-up and to everyone who rang or otherwise conveyed their 
support and solidarity at this time. It is much appreciated.

Further information will be conveyed to all Party members and 
supporters and to Guardian readers as developments take 
place.

The situation created by the fire will be considered by a meeting 
of the Central Committee Executive when it meets on February 14-
15. By that time it is hoped that the response by the insurance 
company and the full extent of the repairs and their cost will be 
known.