Research by historians George and Shelagh Champion has uncovered a reference to a huge bush fire which took place over several days in January 1850, which devastated ‘most of the country in the vicinity of Middle Harbour and Pittwater’ (Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 30 January 1850, p2). ‘The fire appeared to originate at a place where some person had been clearing a piece of land in order to build a house.’ It sprang up within a few miles to seaward of Ellery’s ferry at Middle Harbour, and extended a considerable distance along the wooded lands between Middle Harbour, Pittwater and the sea.
The fire must have caused damage to the Jenkins Road, which led from North Harbour to Long Reef. There were 13 bridges along the extent of the Jenkins Road, built originally in 1826, including one located where present-day Condamine Street crosses Burnt Bridge Creek. It seems most likely that this was the bridge which was consumed in the fire, which then gave its name to the creek. The earliest reference to ‘Burnt Bridge Creek’ on a map that has been found is on Surveyor Drake’s ‘Survey of portions in the village of Balgowlah, North Harbor’, which dates from 22 July 1856.
The SMH adds cheerfully ‘the unfortunate traveller runs much risk of having to undergo the disagreeable process of roasting before he comes to the termination of his journey.’
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