Man Arrested Over Cessnock Club Fire

 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.

 

Fire Crews Called To Blaze At Wire Rope Factory In Mayfield East

 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.

 

Car Allegedly Stolen During Home Invasion At Caves Beach

 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.   

 

BREAKING! Fire Rips Through Fennel Bay Home

 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.  

 

Two Men Facing Court Accused Of Possessing Knives, Drugs, Stolen Property and Counterfeit Cash

 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.

 

 

UPDATE! Appeal Launched To Find Missing Lake Macquarie Woman

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Police have advised the body of a 29-year-old woman reported missing from Swansea has been found.

They've thanked the public and media for their assistance.

If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

EARLER: 

There are concerns for the welfare of a woman who's gone missing overnight in the Lake Macquarie area as she lives with a number of health conditions.

29-year-old Nic Hodgson was last seen in Swansea around 3.30pm on Sunday 26 October, 2025.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall with a medium build, red/auburn shoulder-length hair which may be tied in a bun and has sleeve tattoos on both arms and her right leg.

Nic was last seen wearing a green shirt, black cargo shorts and black boots.

She is known to frequent the Swansea and Morisset areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimes Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing woman Nic Hodgson

 

Two Teen Girls Missing From Western Sydney Could Be In Lake Macquarie

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police believe two girls reported missing from western Sydney could be in the Lake Macquarie area.

15-year-old Billie Valkay-Kruss and 14-year-old Taylor Swift were last seen in West Hoxton around 10pm on Thursday October 23.

Billie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall with a thin build and short brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with pink writing, black tracksuit pants and was carrying a large black duffle bag.

Taylor's described as being Caucasian, about 150cm tall with a thin build an long black hair.

She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black tracksuit pants, white shoes and carrying a black bag.

Police believe the pair could be in the Bonnells Bay area.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

 

Missing girls Billie Valkay-Kruss and Taylor Swift