Authorities are treating a massive blaze, which ripped through a furniture factory in Kurri Kurri overnight, as suspicious.
Emergency services, including Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews from as far as Toronto and Berkeley Vale, as well as NSW Police personnel, were called to Northcotte Street just after 11pm on Thursday 10 October.
Upon arrival, they found an industrial shed well alight.
More than 60 firefighters and 15 trucks – from Greater Hunter Region Command MN3, Abermain, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, East Maitland, Maitland, Cardiff, Minmi, Mayfield West, Branxton, Berkeley Vale, Lambton, Wangi Wangi, Toronto, Paxton and Rutherford – then attacked the inferno, saving a storage facility on the west side from any damage.
They finally controlled the fire about 3.15am on Friday 11 October.
One firefighter was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for heat exhaustion.
Specialists from FRNSW Hazmat were also on the scene to monitor air quality and protect the environment from firefighting water run-off.
“With a fire this intense, the aerial appliances from Fire and Rescue NSW were also called to help fight the blaze from above,” a FRNSW spokesperson said.
“The situation was made more difficult after the roof of the building collapsed.
“Crews are still there this morning (Friday), trying to extinguish and render the area safe.”
An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway, but it appears it may have started from outside the property.
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