Exhibit Planned For Images of Healdsburg Post Office Fire

The was a downtown fixture for decades. Before moving to the location at Center and North streets, it occupied the space where is today.

But that downtown presence came to an end as a beyond repair. and instead about a half-mile away.

In a classic case of being, for a photographer, in the "right place at the right time," East Bay resident Austin Brewin and his wife were in Healdsburg attending a wedding at the beach. Brewin saw the smoke, grabbed his cameras and headed for the scene.

When he arrived, the was already battling the blaze, and a crowd of onlookers had gathered. Brewin took numerous images of the scene.

"I wanted to take some pictures of the firefighters," he explains, "since they're members of the community and people can see what their tax dollars are paying for."

Brewin, a retired doctor, has been a resident of Berkeley since 1969, and a frequent visitor to Healdsburg. His vocation these days is photography.

"Ninety percent of my photos are sports-related," Brewin said. He was a founding member of the San Francisco Rugby Club, and said he often gets photo assignments from rugby magazines.

Brewin has spoken with  (himself a retired Healdsburg fire captain) and Healdsburg Fire Marshal about arranging for an exhibition of some of his photos of the fire.

"We're currently looking for a suitable venue for an exhibit," Brewin said.

Collister said the fire department has "already used some of Austin's photos, along with photos from other spectators, for training purposes." 

One of Brewin's photos will be featured as an auction item at the Healdsburg Fire Department Surf 'n' Turf fundraiser. The fundraiser will be held at the on Saturday, May 12, from 5 - 8 p.m., just after the

The menu will feature tri-tip and salmon, and tickets are available for $40 each.

Additional photos by Brewin may be viewed at: abrewinphoto.smugmug.com