Tarro Convenience Store Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a convenience store at Tarro overnight.

Crews were called to the Tarro Grocery and Convenience Store on Anderson Drive just after 1.30am today (Friday 25 July, 2025) to find a fire in the rear residence of the shop.
 
Around 30 firefighters took about an hour-and-a-half to bring the blaze under control.

No-one was in the shop or the residence at the time however fire crews discovered the remains of a deceased cat while mopping up hot spots.

Police say Fire & Rescue investigators have determined the fire started in a bedroom as a result of an electrical fault.

 

 

Woman escapes campervan fire on New England Highway at Tarro

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A woman has managed to escape a campervan which burst into flames on the New England Highway at Tarro earlier today.

Fire crews were called around 12:45pm, and managed to extinguish the blaze.

No injuries have been reported.

The woman is understood to have exited the vehicle before crews arrived.

It's understood, the highway is closed toward Newcastle.

Man To Face Court Over Attempted Armed Robbery At Tarro Convenience Store

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today accused of attempting to rob a Tarro convenience store at knife point.

Police say the 21-year-old entered the store on Anderson Drive at about 4.00pm on Tuesday armed with a large knife and demanded cash and cigarettes from the owner.

When the owner challenged the would-be thief, he fled the store empty-handed.

Just before 7.00pm, the man gave himself up a Maitland Police Station.

He's been charged with one count of attempted armed robbery with an offensive weapon and refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today.

Garage Destroyed In Overnight Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

It's believed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding a fire which destroyed a garage at Tarro.

Fire crews from Maitland, Thornton, Mayfield West and Minmi were called to a home on Anderson Drive just after 11.30pm on Monday to find an adjacent garage well alight.

They took about 90 minutes to extinguish and mop up the fire.

No-one was injured - the cause of the fire is not clear at this stage.

Mother Arrested, Charged With Manslaughter of Child

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Police have now arrested the mother of a 1-year-old girl who died at Tarro earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was apprehended at her home in Tarro around 8 o'clock this morning and is being charged with manslaughter at Maitland Police Station.

The 18-month-old died on June 19 from horrific internal injuries to her bones and organs, with police already charging the woman's then-partner, 26-year-old Timothy Whitely, with murder.

Mr Whitely has pleaded not-guilty to the offence, even threatening to sue the Crown for putting him in gaol.

Strike Force Nerium detectives are continuing their investigations.

Man Arrested Over Toddler's Death

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

UPDATE:

Police have revealed the man arrested was dating the little girl's mother at the time of the infant's death.

The girl had suffered serious internal injuries to her head and torso.

EARLIER:

Raymond Terrace Police have arrested a man and will charge him with the murder of a toddler at Tarro two months ago.

The 26-year-old man was arrested around 8:30 this morning at a home in Tanilba Bay by Strike Force Nerium officers.

The arrest relates to an incident on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 19 where a 20-month-old girl died after being rushed to the John Hunter Hospital from a house on Burgess Parade, Tarro.

Reports indicated the little girl had gone into cardiac arrest, and doctors failed to save her.

The man is currently at Raymond Terrace Police Station, where police will address the media later today.

Police Investigate Toddler Death at Tarro

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a toddler at Tarro.

Police and paramedics were called to a home on Burgess Parade at about 5.30pm yesterday to find a 20 month old girl extremely unwell.

She was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital but couldn't be revived.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.