Fire Damages Buddhist Temple in Melbourne’s Southeast

Firefighters are seen at the scene of a fire at the Bright Moon Buddhist Temple in Springvale South, Melbourne. Eighty firefighters have battled a blaze that has damaged the temple. Monday, February 6, 2023. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

A Buddhist temple in Melbourne’s southeast has been gutted by fire, leaving a small community devastated.

Crews were called to the Bright Moon Buddhist Temple in Springvale South at about 8 p.m. on Sunday as large flames engulfed the building.

It took about 80 firefighters more than two hours to control the blaze.

About 30 residents in the surrounding area had to be evacuated, while others were told to close doors and windows and turn off heating and cooling systems.

No one was injured in the blaze, Fire Rescue Victoria confirmed.

Firefighters are seen operating at the scene of a fire at the Bright Moon Buddhist Temple in Springvale South, Melbourne. Eighty firefighters have battled a blaze that has damaged the temple. Monday, February 6, 2023. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Firefighters were continuing to put out spot fires on Monday morning, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Paul Foster said.

“This was an extensive fire, very rapidly developing and quite spectacular to look at,” he told ABC News Breakfast on Monday morning. “It was seen for many kilometres around.”

It was still too early to determine the cause of the blaze, Foster said.

It’s understood up to 1000 members of the Springvale Buddhist community had their loved ones’ ashes kept inside the temple.

Resident Jenny Tang, who had her father’s ashes at the site, said she was devastated.

“I was really in shock and never thought it would happen,” she told 3AW on Monday morning.

“It’s a sanctuary. It’s a place where I can go and chat with my dad because I lost him suddenly. It was also a place of worship. It means a lot to us.”

A person reacts to the destruction of the Temple at the scene of a fire at the Bright Moon Buddhist Temple in Springvale South, Melbourne. Eighty firefighters have battled a blaze that has damaged the temple. Monday, February 6, 2023. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

It’s still unsafe to enter to building, so Tang was unsure whether her father’s ashes could be salvaged.

Fire Rescue Victoria will work with the local Buddhist community as they investigate the fire.

“There’s a very culturally sensitive operation we’ve conducted here,” Foster said.

“Not only is it a place of worship, it’s a place of gathering for the local Buddhist community.”

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil, the federal member for the Springvale region, said the community’s devastation was palpable.

“This temple was like a second home for so many, built up by contributions from local volunteers and worshippers over decades into something beautiful,” she tweeted on Monday.

“This is a devastating time for the Buddhist community in Melbourne. I know that, together, we can rally to support them in a time of real need.”