Arabic version: تضرر لافتة «PERTH» في ساحة ياغان بحريق
According to ABC News, the large “PERTH” sign at Yagan Square in the Perth CBD was badly damaged by fire on Wednesday. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze, which damaged a landmark that the square described as a backdrop to countless photos, cultural celebrations and memorable Perth moments.
Yagan Square’s social media account announced the damage in a statement, beginning with “Farewell to an icon”. The account said the sign had served for eight years and had earned a place as one of the city’s most-loved landmarks. It invited people to share their favourite photographs of the sign, while social media users expressed sorrow and devastation.
The fire was reported to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services at 2:30pm and was extinguished by 2:50pm. A worker at a nearby bar told ABC News that he saw the fire after it had started, when there were plenty of people nearby. Security later moved onlookers away, and the worker said firefighters put out the flames in less than five minutes after arriving.
Development WA, which manages and maintains Yagan Square, said it would not comment while the fire investigation remained active. The square is a transit area between the Perth CBD and Northbridge entertainment precinct, near bars, restaurants, Edith Cowan University’s city campus, Perth Underground train station and Perth Busport. Named after the 19th-century Aboriginal warrior Yagan, it officially opened in 2018.
