In the years since the fire, multiple witnesses and survivors have come forward to shed doubt on the tragedy being caused by a simple electrical malfunction. According to ABC Australia, both patrons and Luna Park reported seeing a suspicious group of youths and biker gang members around the park, along with smelling kerosene in the build-up to the tragedy. Some even reported the "bikies" speaking about arson. The police chief called off any search for suspects and doubled down that the fire was caused by an electrical failure. Witnesses say they were hounded by the New South Wales police after their statements, while others fear retribution from the biker gang.
Initial investigations also revealed that Luna Park had failed to install proper fire suppression systems or emergency lighting for the ride, which took place in the dark (via Monument Australia). This was despite a recommendation from the local fire department to do so a year and a half prior to the inferno, which echoed a consultant's concerns to install a sprinkler system in 1977. Years of incompetence and penny-pinching led to the fire, and the inadequate response of the police in its aftermath means the true cause of this tragedy might never be revealed.
