Stolen Car Torched In Bush At Marks Point

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called to Marks Point after a stolen car was dumped in the bush alight early Tuesday morning.

Crews were called to Naru Street at about 3.00am to find the car and bush ablaze near the airport.

It's taken them about 2 hours to extinguish the blaze, which burnt through about 1 hectare of bush.

Double Whammy Of Disaster For Elermore Vale Resident

BY IAN CROUCH

Just days after water from a burst high pressure main flooded homes at Elermore Vale,  one resident has been left homeless after a devastating fire.

Fire crews from Cardiff, Lambton and Mayfield West were called to the single level townhouse on Taurus Street at about 4.30pm on Monday to find the villa well alight.

It's taken them about an hour to douse the flames which caused extensive damage to the townhouse.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Squids Ink Destroyed In Overnight Fire

BY IAN  CROUCH

A popular Lake Macquarie motel and function centre lies in ruins this morning after fire ripped through the premises early today.

Fire crews were called to Squids Ink on the Pacific Highway just before 1.30am on Monday to find the upper level restaurant and function centre well alight.

20 people had to be evacuated but no-one was injured.

Around 60 firefighters and 16 Fire Trucks were deployed to fight the blaze which guttered the upper level and left the bottom level damaged by smoke and water.

It took crews around 2 hours to extinguish the blaze.

The cause of fire is not known at this stage.

It's estimate the repair bill will top $2million.

You can see Steve Meston's Facebook Video Here:_

Squids Ink At  Belmont Destroyed By Fire picture: Steve Meston

Truck Crash Morisset

BY IAN CROUCH

A truck driver has been taken to hospital after a crash on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Morisset.

The truck was travelling in the northbound lanes near the Mandalong Road Interchange just before 4.00am when it's believed the driver fainted at the wheel.

The truck then crashed into thick scrub on the median strip.

He's been taken to hospital as a precaution.

Firefighters are at the scene using chainsaws to get to the truck.

Elderly Woman Overcome By Smoke In Rutherford Unit Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly woman has been treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in her Rutherford unit last night.

Fire crews were called to a block of 8 units on Churchill Drive just after 8.30 and had to force their way into one of the apartments to rescue the woman.

They found a fire in the kitchen area - it's taken about an hour-and-a-half to extinguish and mop up the fire, which caused damage to 20 per cent of the unit - the rest of apartment was damaged by smoke and water.

Adjoining units were not damaged in the blaze.

Suspicious fire at Rutherford

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Central Hunter Police are investigating a suspicious fire at Rutherford.

Fire crews were called to a two storey Compass Housing complex in Churchill Crescent at 10:30 last night to find a fire in a top storey unit.

The occupant wasn't home at the time, and it took crews about two hours to extinguish and mop up the blaze which caused extensive damage to the single bedroom unit.

BREAKING! Fears Residents Trapped In West Wallsend House Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews have been called to a house fire at West Wallsend.

Firefighters arrived just before 5.30 to find the rear of the 2 storey brick home home in Withers Street well alight.

They've managed to quickly douse the flames

However, there were concerns for two people at the address, but a search using a thermal imaging camera confirmed there was no-one inside.

Police have also been called to the fire amid reports this is the second fire at the home this week.

Hunter River Pollution Fear After Hexham Truck Crash

BY IAN CROUCH

A truck roll over on the Hexham Bridge yesterday sparked a major clean-up operation.

The truck, which was towing a trailer packed with building waste, crashed into a guard rail with the trailer toppling onto it's side just before 4.00pm.

The 53-year-old driver was trapped for a short time before being freed and taken to hospital in a stable condition with non life-threatening injuries.

However the incident prompted a major response from the Environment Protection Authority as building waste and diesel fuel fell from the bridge deck into the Hunter River below. 

Firefighters placed booms around the debris and diesel spill to contain it.

The road and river clean-up took around 6 hours to complete.

Crews work to clear debris from the Hexham Bridge Photo: theherald.com.au

Police Investigate House Fire At West Wallsend

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a house at West Wallsend this morning.

Firefighters from West Wallsend, Minmi and Cardiff arrived at the brick and tile home in Tramway Drive just after 5.30am to find a fire had spread from the garage into the roof of the house.

It's taken about two hours to extinguish and mop up the fire which guttered about 80% of the home.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by police.

There are no reports of injuries.

Man Injured In Suspicious House Fire At Lambton

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has suffered serious burns to his legs during a suspicious house fire at Lambton this morning.

Fire crews from Lambton,Newcastle, Mayfield West and Merewether arrived at the single storey weatherboard home in Johnson Street at 1.40am to find the front of the house engulfed in flames.

Police arrived to find a 26-year-old male resident outside the home with burns to his legs.

He was treated at the scene by Ambulance paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Newcastle Fire Command says the front of the house was extensively damaged by fire, while the rest of the property was affected by heat, smoke and water.

Police have set up a crime scene and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Boat Destroyed In Early Morning Fire At Rathmines

BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is under way into the cause of a fire which destroyed a boat moored off Rathmines  early this morning.

NSW Fire and Rescue and RFS crews were called to Overhill Road at 1.45am to find a 35 foot catamaran ablaze about 50 metres off shore from Styles Point Park.

Firefighters used an RFS Fire Boat to reach the vessel and extinguish the flames, with the boat burning to the waterline.

Booms have been placed around the submerged vessel ahead of a salvage operation later this morning.

RFS Fire Boat Image: pittwateronlinenews.com

Former Broadmeadow Bicycle Shop Destroyed By Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

Police and fire investigators are looking into the cause of a fire which guttered a former bicycle shop at Broadmeadow.

Emergency services received several triple zero calls, arriving at the old Broadway Cycles shop on Belford Street at about 10.00pm to find an adjoining garage well alight.

It took 20 firefighters from Newcastle, New Lambton and Merewether fire stations two-and-a-half hours to extinguish and mop up the blaze.

No-one was injured.

The Former Broadway Cycles Shop in Belford Street

Possible closure of Weston Fire Station

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There are strong concerns the fire station at Weston, near Cessnock, could close with the state government reportedly planning to join the station with Abermain.

The Abermain fire station is less than four kilometres down the road from the Weston fire station, but both have proven to be vitally important in recent bush fire emergencies in the area.

With ferocious fire ripping through Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta this week residents, firefighters, and local politicians alike, are expressing their concern of the potentially dangerous move.

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr is particularly concerned the state government is making cuts to resources the community need, and would suffer to be without.

"As recently as this week, we've seen those incredible fires throughout that area and we saw them less than two weeks ago and then less than two months ago again. It is just absurd that these cuts would be taking place in a place surrounded by bushland like Cessnock and Kurri and Abermain, and more broadly across the Hunter."

There has reportedly been little to no consultation with the community, let alone with fire fighters in the area.

"Mike Baird has announced his retirement, but the policies of Mike Baird live on and the minister who is enacting the policies of Mike Baird. or his government, which is to cut $22 million out of fire and rescue NSW staffing and fire stations."

Loxford Bushfire Latest

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have worked through the night to extinguish a large bushfire near Kurri Kurri.

The fire broke out just before 2.00pm yesterday and jumped the Hunter Expressway, forcing the evacuation of the nearby sewerage treatment works.

At one stage, the fire threatened homes in Northcott Street and McLeod Road, while a firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

The fire burnt through 50 hectares before being brought under control at midnight, with crews completing their mopping up work by around 4.00am.

Authorities are not ruling out arson as the cause of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Lake Macquarie firefighters have brought a 14 hectare blaze at Wyee under control.

Crews Tackle The Loxford Bushfire. Picture: MJF Productions

Smoke From The Loxford Bushfire Closes The Hunter Expressway Picture: MJF Productions

BREAKING! Fire Rips Through Belmont Unit

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has severely damaged a Housing Commission unit at Belmont.

Neighbours of the Belstone Avenue unit complex woke to the sound of glass popping just before 3.30 this morning.

Fire crews from Tingira Heights, Belmont and Charlestown arrived to find smoke issuing from the roof amid fears someone was trapped inside.

Thankfully, no-one was home at the time.

It took about 20 minutes to extinguish the fire which was contained to a bedroom - the rest of the unit was damaged by smoke.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Abermain Fire Deliberately Lit

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire authorities say a bushfire at Abermain which threatened dozens of homes and destroyed a truck appears to have been deliberately lit.

Fire crews have spent the night backburning in a bid to strengthen containment lines around the fire, which has burnt out around a thousand hectares and is currently burning in the vicinity of Hebburn Road.

Although the fire has been downgraded to the advice level, Greg Allen from the Rural Fire Service says residents need to remain vigilant ahead of another hot day today.

"High temperatures, strong winds of course are going to be of concern. Our firefighters will do all they can, but of course residents need to do all they can to assist firefighters as well by preparing their properties in case fire threatens by clearing gutters, removing items from around their properties which could burn, and having a bushfire survival plan made and discussed with families as well," he said.

Firefighter Battles Abermain Fire Picture: smh.com.au

A Truck Is Destroyed In The Blaze Picture: Cessnock Advertiser

BREAKING! Muswellbrook Home Destroyed In Early Morning Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

 Fire has destroyed a home at Muswellbrook this morning.

Firefighters from Muswellbrook and Aberdeen responded to several triple-oh calls just after 4am to find the single-level brick and tile home in Calgaroo Avenue well alight.

Newcastle Fire Command says the sole occupant and was found at a friend's home nearby.

Crews are still at the scene mopping up hot spots.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

BREAKING! Waterfront Home At Belmont Destroyed By Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has guttered a waterfront home at Belmont this morning.

7 fire trucks were called to the 2 storey weatherboard home in Walter Street just after 4.00am to find the house engulfed in flames.

It's taken about half an hour to knock down the flames

It's understood the house has been unoccupied for some time.

4 crews are still at the scene mopping up.

Forensic investigators will comb through the rubble once the scene been declared safe.

Also this morning, fire has destroyed a double garage at the front of a home on Ocean Street Dudley.

No-one was injured in either blaze.

Caravan Destroyed In Hay Bale Fire At Louth Park

BY IAN CROUCH

 Police and firefighters believe a large hay bale fire at Louth Park last night was the result of spontaneous combustion.

At least 20 NSW firefighters and several RFS crews took around 3 hours to extinguish and black out the massive blaze in Ross Lane.

A caravan parked next to the hay stack caught alight and was destroyed in the fire.

Newcastle Fire Command says no-one was injured.

Hay Bale Fire - file photo

Beresfield Bushfire Deliberately Lit

BY IAN CROUCH

 Firefighters have again been kept busy overnight with a bushfire at Beresfield.

The blaze broke out just to the south of John Renshaw Drive late yesterday afternoon, causing the road to be blocked for around 2 hours last night.

Around 50 firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue and the rural Fire Service battled the blaze. 

All lanes are open this morning.

The fire is now under control after burning through around 16 hectares and at one stage threatening a water pipeline.

Police say the fire was deliberately lit after firefighters found several ignition points.