The 2002 Abernethy Bushfire and the death of Ronald Gillett

Darren Pateman's photograph of the cricket match that took place at Cessnock as the bushfire approached

On October 19, 2002, a fire was set behind the Cessnock racecourse in New South Wales, Australia. The fire would accelerate quickly and then split into two major fire fronts. The flames were large and dangerous as they started doing their damage in Abernathy, Kearsley, and Kitchener. 

13 homes would be destroyed and one life would be lost. Abernathy was hit that hardest. Ronald Gillett who was from Sydney was driving down Kearsley Road when his car was engulfed by the flames. He was the only casualty in the bushfire.

It's unknown who started this fire. A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

SOURCES:

New South Wales Government

The Sydney Morning Herald

Cessnock Advertiser