Lithium Battery Being Blamed For House Fire At Teralba

 BY IAN CROUCH

A rechargeable battery in a remote control toy car is being blamed for a fire which severely damaged a home at Teralba overnight.

Eight fire trucks and 32 firefighters were called to a 2 storey home on Fishermans Drive just after 6.00pm on Tuesday to find a fire in the garage.

It's believed the toy car had not been used for some time and was being recharged in the garage when the fire broke out.

Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry says the occupants managed to escape the home unharmed.

"Fortunately, four occupants had self evacuated. They were all okay. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the garage. Fortunately it had vented out a side window, letting the hot gases escape and stopping it from going through the main house," he said.

Superintendent Dewberry said the fire serves as a timely reminder not to charge batteries which have been in storage for some time outside away from the home.

More People Found Sleeping Rough In Newcastle And Lake Macquarie

 BY IAN CROUCH

There's been a significant increase in the number of people sleeping rough in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Minister for Homelessness, Rose Jackson has released the 2025 Street Count which shows 49 people were found to be sleeping rough in Newcastle in 2024, up from 6 on the previous year's count, while in Lake Macquarie, 40 people were found sleeping in cars or public places - up from 31 in 2023.

Across the Hunter and Central Coast, 188 people were found sleeping on the streets, up from 100 on the previous count.

Homelessness NSW Chief Executive Dominique Rowe has told Nine Radio it reflects a state-wide trend. 

" It really shows the need for funding of homelessness services and building more houses. We've seen an increase of 8% in people sleeping rough in NSW," she said.

 

Homelessness NSW CEO Dom Rowe

 

Man Accused Of Firing Shots At Tenambit And Toronto Faces Court

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man accused of firing a sawn-off shot gun from a moving vehicle at Tenambit and Toronto has been ordered to undergo a mental health assessment.

Police allege 26-year-old Brandon Rogan fired the gun on three occasions in a public place including at Toronto where he filmed himself driving through the suburb at about 4.00pm on Sunday when he held the firearm out the window, pulled the trigger and then said "whoops".

Rogan and a 22-year-old woman were arrested at a Coal Point home after a stand-off with police early Monday morning.

It's alleged the sawn-off shotgun and a replica pistol were found following a search of the property

He's been charged with 11 offences including 3 counts of firing a firearm in a public place, possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.

The woman's been charged with concealing a serious indictable offence and having goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

Accused shooter Brandon Rogan appeared in Toronto Local Court on Monday

 

Fears Held For Missing Muswellbrook Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fears are growing for the welfare of a man reported missing from Muswellbrook.

41-year-old Robert Baker was last seen in the area at about 2.30pm on Saturday April 19.

Police and family say his disappearance is out of character.

Robert's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with a thin build, shaved head, fair complexion, brown eyes with tattoos on his forearms.

Police believe he may have been seen recently in the Hamilton and Newcastle areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 

Missing man Robert Baker

 

Four People Rescued As Flash Flooding Causes Havoc In Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four people have been rescued after heavy rain caused flash flooding across Newcastle overnight.

A slow moving storm moved across the LGA late Wednesday afternoon dumping 55 millimetres of rain in just one hour at the Merewether Pump Station.

Adam Williams from the SES says they were called out to 138 jobs as water quickly overflowed drains in the city and nearby suburbs. 

"The majority of these calls were for trees and branches down and leaking rooves. However NSW SES members to four flood rescues in the Merewether and Hamilton South area due to flash flooding caused by this rainfall. One person was rescued from a property due to waist-high water levels and another person was rescued from their car stuck in floodwaters by NSW Fire & Rescue," he said.

 

 

Three Under-18's Charged Over Pursuit In Allegedly Stolen Car At Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

Three young people have been arrested following a pursuit in an allegedly stolen car at Muswellbrook.

Police attempted to stop a Volkswagen SUV on Wollombi Road just before 8.0aam on Wednesday - they say the vehicle had earlier been reported stolen from Scone.

A pursuit was initiated when the car failed to stop but was terminated at Denman due to the manner of driving.

Officers monitored the SUV until it stopped on Bengalla Road, with the alleged driver, a 14-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy arrested  in the grounds of the Bengalla Coal Mine.

A 13-year-old boy was also arrested at a nearby property.

They were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.

The 14-year-old girl was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed, take and drive conveyance withourt consent of owner, and break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence.

The tow passengers were charged with being carried in a conveyance taken without consent of owner and break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence.

All three have been granted conditional bail to face the children's court on May 28.
 

 

Fears Held For Missing Lake Macquarie Teen

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for help to find a teenager who's gone missing in the Lake Macquarie area.

14-year-old Indi Warby was last seen at Windale at about 5.00pm last Saturday April 26, and concerns are held for her welfare due to her age.

Indi's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall with a thin build, blonde hair and a nose piercing.

She's known to frequent the Windale and Charlestown areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing teenager Indi Warby