The dawn of January 2nd 1955 brought temperatures in excess of 36 degrees, strong northerly winds, and heavy tinder-dry fuel loads – it was what we would today rate as “catastrophic danger”. Fifteen people including the Governor, Sir Robert George, were in residence at the time. The caretaker, Mr Penny, prepared hoses and buckets of water in the event that they had to defend the property from a bushfire, and made ready the vehicles should they need to make an escape.

At around 11am, embers blown ahead of the firefront entered the roof space, which was filled with dried seaweed for insulation, and burned fiercely. A tar product was also used to waterproof the balcony floors - this too was easily ignited. By the time the ignition was noticed, it was too late to save the house. The bushfire had by this time surrounded the entire property – the heat was so intense that the lead of the tower roof melted and splattered onto the cars below. Escape was now impossible.

The entire party of fifteen people fled from the tower and sheltered under wet blankets next to the driveway embankment as the fire swept over them. The tower of Marble Hill fell as they watched. It was two hours before they were rescued, but everyone down to a servant's cat escaped with only minor injuries.

In a cruel twist of fate, all Sir Robert and Lady George's possessions were lost in the fire. They had been moved to Marble Hill whilst Government House was undergoing repairs for the damage sustained in the earthquake of 1954. Sir Thomas Playford, when welcoming Sir Robert as Governor, noted that Governors were expected to be an inspiration in times of danger. Sir Robert did so three times in three years – earthquake, fire and flood.