At 7: 08am, Fire Rescue Victoria answered multiple Triple Zero calls reporting smoke from waverley rsl on Coleman Parade in Glen Waverley. Crews arrived within three minutes to find a 20m x 30m building with fire affecting the roof space and quickly set about protecting people and the club’s collection.
Waverley Rsl: what crews encountered
Firefighters from Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) found fire impacting the roof space of the Glen Waverley RSL. The blaze was believed to have started in the kitchen and had spread into structural areas. FRV crews wearing breathing apparatus worked alongside CFA personnel, and Victoria Police attended to assist.
Because of concerns about the building’s structural integrity, crews conducted an external attack rather than entering the premises. Approximately 60 firefighters were on scene and the combined efforts took about two hours before the incident was brought under control; the incident was deemed under control at 9: 14am. FRV firefighters will remain on scene to monitor for hotspots and ensure that the fire doesn’t reignite.
How the response unfolded
Firefighters were alerted at 7: 08am and arrived three minutes later. The size of the premises—measured at 20m by 30m in the initial response—meant crews had to balance extinguishing the fire with ensuring firefighter safety. An external attack focused on suppressing flames in the roof space while protecting adjacent areas from further damage.
A community warning was issued for smoke in the area. There were no occupants in the building at the time of the incident, which allowed crews to concentrate on containment and salvage operations without conducting search-and-rescue operations.
Damage, salvage and the human dimension
The fire caused extensive damage to the gaming area and members’ areas of the Glen Waverley RSL. Fire Rescue Victoria worked closely with the RSL to prioritise access to encased memorabilia so these items could be removed or protected. The majority of the memorabilia remained intact and undamaged by the fire, though some pieces may have suffered smoke damage.
Fire Rescue Victoria acknowledged the need for continued attention on-site: “FRV firefighters will remain on scene to monitor for hotspots and ensure that the fire doesn’t reignite. ” This ongoing presence reflects a dual focus on preventing re-ignition and safeguarding items of cultural or personal importance kept at the club.
Victoria Police were present to assist with the response. The combined operation saw FRV and CFA crews coordinate the suppression work, community warnings and salvage priorities until control was achieved at 9: 14am.
For the Glen Waverley community, the practical outcome was twofold: the building suffered significant interior damage, yet much of the club’s memorabilia was preserved. Firefighters’ swift arrival—three minutes after the emergency calls—helped limit what might otherwise have been a larger loss.
As crews continue to monitor the site, questions about restoration and future access remain for club members and the community. The morning’s response underscored how emergency services prioritize life safety, structural concerns and the protection of locally valued items in parallel.
Back on Coleman Parade, with smoke now dissipating, the salvage work and a steady FRV presence have given neighbours a cautious sense of relief. The scene that began with urgent calls and a rapid turnout of crews ended with the control of the blaze and a watchful effort to preserve what the club holds dear.
