Eagles veteran Andrew Gaff’s married life is off to a good start after his wedding guests had to evacuate when a fierce wildfire destroyed a popular City Beach park.
Western Australia understands Gaff and his partner, Emma Van Woerden, said their vows at the Quarry Amphitheater on Sunday, hours before the fire broke out at Bold Park around 9pm.
Guests are said to have been quickly removed from the room as the fire quickly spread.
A witness describes seeing guests leaving in a taxi – one of them holding an uncut wedding cake.
Sources claim that participants had to travel to Elliot Yeo’s pub, Broken Hill Hotel.
West Coast teammate Jack Darling and his wife Courtney were also among the guests, while Premier Eagle Scott Lycett was also present.
Fire and Emergency Services issued a “watch and act” alert at around 10.30pm on Sunday after the fire started at Bold Park.
Residents in the City Beach, Floreat and Mt Claremont areas have been warned that there may be a threat to their lives and homes and that “conditions are changing”.
The fire was contained and contained by 10 a.m. Monday.
Gaff, 31, has had a turbulent year with the Eagles, averaging just 20 disposals in 23 games – his lowest return since 2013.
The two-time All-Australian almost found himself dropped after recording only six disposals against Brisbane in round 17, his lowest disposal output in a game since starting as a substitute in the early games of his first-year campaign in 2011.
Gaff was handed a lifeline when he was named as the sub against Richmond the following week and he finished with 24 disposals after coming on early for the injured Reuben Ginbey.