Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters battled a 10th Alarm Warehouse Fire in the middle of major storms and a widespread flooding emergency in Newcastle, NSW, on Tuesday, 1 March.
With a petrochemical plant under threat, more than 100 firefighters worked hard to contain the fire to two of the three warehouses and stopped the fire spreading to the neighbouring plant. Local residents were evacuated with the fear of major structural collapse.
The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon at the former wool store buildings in the harbourside suburb of Wickham, sending plumes of black smoke across Newcastle.
One hundred firefighters managed to contain the blaze to two wool stores, which housed several businesses and a storage facility. They are now in danger of collapse.
Newcastle Police District Commander Wayne Humphrey said asbestos contamination was a concern for surrounding residents.
‘As the rest of the state prays for the rain to go away, we’re actually pretty happy it’s raining at the moment, because it’s wetting down asbestos – so that rain is welcome at the moment.
A police strike force has been established to investigate the cause of the blaze.
For more information, go to www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-02/newcastle-warehouse-fire-aftermath/100874484
