A truck carrying diesel has gone up in flames at the Transgrid substation at Warabrook, near the University of Newcastle.
Fire and Rescue says crews were waiting for the power to be switched off before firefighters could pour water on the blaze.
Local residents are being advised of possible pollution from the accident.
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| Warabrook substation. Credit / Google Maps |
The Rail Tram and Bus Union says Newcastle and Lake Macquarie drivers are wearing berets as part of a “Calendar of Chaos” in a bid to get management back to the enterprise bargaining table.
Drivers want a pay increase and safety provisions from the French firm, and the union’s warning of more action later this month if an agreement can’t be reached.
Tram and Bus Divisional Secretary David Babineau says it’s been tricky engaging with the overseas company.
“There’s some cute actions like the berets, which obviously highlights the fact that Keolis as a company is three quarters owned by the French Government. So we’re trying not to impact people but the last week of the calendar there are actions scheduled which will impact services,” he said.
“It’s been extremely difficult and, if the company’s just turning around and saying, ‘we’re not going to meet,’ there’s not much you can do about it.
“If we have progress and the members are satisfied with it, then we can look at not taking those actions,” he said.
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| Supplied: Rail Tram and Bus Union |
BY IAN CROUCH
A man is due to front court in November accused of deliberately setting fire to community club at Cessnock earlier this month.
Around 8.00am on Sunday October 19, Police were called to reports of a fire at the PCYC in Short Street, arriving to find entry had been gained into the foyer area and a fire set with what they believed was an accelerant.
The fire failed to spread before self-extinguishing.
Following investigations, police arrested a 39-year-old man at a house in Kurri Kurri yesterday morning.
He was charged with break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence and damage property by fire.
The man's been granted strict conditional bail to face Cessnock Court on November 19.
BY IAN CROUCH
Firefighters have been called to an industrial complex at Mayfield East.
Newcastle Fire Command says crews responded to an automatic fire alarm at the Bekaert Wire Rope factory in George Street just before 3.00am today (Wednesday 29 October 2025) to find a vat containing 7000 litres of grease inside a 300 by 100 metre tin building on fire.
7 fire trucks were called to the incident however the automatic sprinkler system and quick work by firefighters suppressed the flames, with the fire completely extinguished by 4.10am.
Two crews remain on scene to cool the vat with water and prevent re-ignition.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known.
BY IAN CROUCH
Police are investigating a home invasion at Caves Beach.
Police have been told three people armed with a weapon forced their way into the Macquarie Grove home at about 5.00am today (Tuesday 28 October,2025) where a 43-year-old man was living.
They left in the man's white Isuzu SUV with the NSW registration FGW 89J - the man wasn't injured and police were called.
Police are investigating if two earlier incidents are linked.
The first incident happened about 4.00am when a group of males attempted to break into a service station on Freemans Drive at Coorangong - they were unable to gain entry and left empty-handed.
The second incident occurred a short time later when a group attempted to enter a premises on Barbers Road at Cooranbong. They tried to enter a vehicle but again left empty handed.
Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
BY IAN CROUCH
One person has been taken to hospital after fire tore through a home at Fennell Bay overnight.
Newcastle Fire Command says crews were called to the two level home in Hely Avenue just before 2.00am on Tuesday October 28 to find the house up in flames.
A neighbour helped the occupants to safety.
NSW Ambulance says five people were treated for smoke inhalation with one taken to hospital for further treatment.
Around 40 firefighters took more than two hours to extinguish the blaze.
Police have set up a crime scene and will join fire investigators later on Tuesday morning to determine the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile crews have quickly extinguished a fire at an abandoned house at Wallsend early Tuesday morning.
Firefighters arrived at the previously fire damaged home in Lewis Street just before 3.30am to find an external wall on fire.
Crews were hampered by the presence of asbestos and required decontamination once the fire was out.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
BY IAN CROUCH
Two men allegedly spotted trying to open car doors in the Waratah area overnight are due to front court today (Monday 27 October, 2025).
Just before 10.30pm on Sunday 26 October, 2025 Police received reports about the pair and a routine patrol noticed two men in a white Audi Q7 acting suspiciously, with the men running off when officers approached.
They were apprehended in Ada Street.
A search of the pair and their car allegedly uncovered knives, quantities of cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine, stolen property including ID cards and counterfeit cash.
The men aged 27 and 31 have been refused bail ahead of their court appearance.
