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I could not find much about the fire in Boulia, but here are some interesting facts about the place: As Boulia was also a part of Australia's inland sea more than 100 million years ago, you will be amazed by the extensive marine fossil display and the array of historical artifacts from early settlers, including machinery, saddlery, and hospital instruments. This can all be discovered at the Boulia Stonehouse Museum. Boulia is also home to some great Outback Events including The Boulia Camel Races which are held annually on the third weekend of July. Attractions include fireworks, bands, magicians, markets, and of course the marvelous camels. Source: www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-inform...

Rumors of a ghost at Ascot House in Queensland, Australia, have been circulating as far back as the 1890s. It wasn’t until some one hundred years later, that the ghost could finally be put to rest. Ascot House was built for wealthy businessman and politician, Frederick Holberton, in 1876, and was originally named ‘Tor’. Situated in Newtown, a suburb of Toowoomba, it once stood on 13ha (32 acres) of land. It eventually changed hands, and the new owner renamed it Ascot House and undertook numerous renovations. Ascot House contained a gothic tower, sweeping staircase, and large high-ceilinged rooms. Many years later, the house would fall into a state of disrepair. During the 1940s, flats had been added, which housed people looking for cheap accommodation. It was not until the 1980s that the house was sold to a successful renovator, who proceeded to bring the house back to its former glory. No sooner had the new owner moved into Ascot House, that she would hear footsteps walking down the hallway at night but see no-one. Once, during the early hours of the morning, she felt fingertips brush her shoulders. One warm evening, she leaned against a wall where the surface was icy cold. The cold patch lasted for months and defied explanation. There have been numerous eye-witness accounts, including one man who saw the apparition of a young woman that looked as if her neck was broken. It had been rumored that a young servant girl had hung herself within the house. After many years of searching, the owner identified the young woman as Maggie Hume, who had worked at Ascot House as a housemaid under the employ of the original owner, Frederick Holberton. At 23 years of age, she committed suicide, not by hanging, but by taking strychnine. According to the police reports, it was believed she suicided after learning she was pregnant. At the inquest, a couple of male staff members confessed to having ‘connections’ with her. As a single woman committing suicide, Maggie was buried in an unmarked grave. Now, a headstone has been placed at the site, giving her the sympathy she never received in life. Source: debbie-johansson.com/2021/09/29/the-ghost-of-ascot-house/

WINTON HOSPITAL. MAIN BUILDING DESTROYED. WINTON, June 16. About half-past two o'clock the afternoon the alarm was given that the Winton Hospital was on fire. Before the Fire Brigade arrived on the scene efforts were made with buckets and a small hose to combat the flames. The fire made its way above the ceiling and quickly spread throughout the main building. The water mains only reach the edge of the Hospital reserve at the top of Oondooroo-street, about 300 yards from the building. After a delay, sufficient lengths of hose was coupled to reach the fire, but all efforts to save the building were futile, although a good pressure was obtained and the Brigade worked strenuously. Attention was given to confining the fire and saving the nurses' quarters and isolating the Hospital. This was successfully done after the patients had been conveyed to safety. Almost all the furniture, fittings, drugs, and instruments were saved. There were about twenty patients in the Hospital, all of whom can be accommodated in the isolation ward. The fire originated in the kitchen. The property was insured with the State Insurance Company; the building for £48.000, the furniture and contents for £800, and the Delco lighting plant for £600. Source: Morning Bulletin, 19Jun 1922 trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/54021469#