BREAKING! Firefighters Battling Large Factory Fire At Wickham

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters are battling a large fire at an industrial unit at Wickham.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received 4 triple zero calls to Newcastle Auto Electrics at the corner of Foundry and Church Streets just after 3.30am on Thursday to find the factory complex well alight with flames through the roof.

Around 40 firefighters and the Hazmat unit are at the scene.

Firefighters are battling the flames in defensive mode from the street and here are reports the roof of the building has collapsed.

There are reports several cars are on fire at the premises.

Oily smoke is impacting Wickham residents living to the north of the fire, with police issuing messages urging people to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.

Police and Ambulance crews are also at the scene. 

The fire caused extensive damage to the business and a number of cars Picture: Fire & Rescue NSW

Man Flown from John Hunter Suffering Serious Burns After Accelerant Thrown onto Backyard Fire

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A mans been flown from John Hunter Hospital with serious burns, following an incident with a backyard fire. 

An accelerant was thrown onto the flames around 12.45am on Thursday morning. 

The 47-year-old man treated on scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported to the John Hunter Hospital. 

He was then placed into a medically induced coma and was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition. 

Driver Facing Court After Allegedly Running Down Cyclist and Assaulting Emergency Service Workers

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man is due to face court on Monday after allegedly deliberately hitting a cyclist and assaulting emergency services personnel in Newcastle. 

About 7pm on Saturday a 23-year-old woman was riding her bike on Heaton Street, Jesmond, when she was allegedly deliberately hit by a man driving a Subaru Forster.

The woman was dragged by the vehicle, before it stopped.

Members of the public provided assistance to the woman before emergency services arrived.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, exited the Subaru and allegedly tried to enter a NSW Ambulance vehicle, before assaulting a female paramedic. 

She sustained bruising, swelling and abrasions after being pushed to the ground.

The injured cyclist was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

As police were attempting to breath test the driver, he allegedly tried to bite the hands of a male senior constable, before kicking him. 

He was subsequently taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

The officer did not require medical treatment.

The Jesmond man was charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, attempt to take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Monday.