Multiple Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews, including experts in hazardous materials, have helped the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) extinguish a fire that engulfed a service station in the state's Riverina.
The blaze quickly tore through the main shopfront on the Hume Highway, Coolac, just after 10 pm, and threatened to spread to an adjoining awning and nearby petrol bowsers and gas cylinders.
How to safely attack the flames
FRNSW responded with fire crews from Cootamundra and Gundagai, along with an aerial appliance
FRNSW responded with fire crews from Cootamundra and Gundagai, along with an aerial appliance from Turvey Park, a specialist HAZMAT team from Wagga Wagga and a rehabilitation van from Harden.
FRNSW also deployed one of its Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), or drones, to gain a unique strategic perspective over the fire, help ground crews identify hotspots, and ultimately inform commanders how to safely attack the flames.
Critical role in the fire control
Over more than three hours, these resources worked alongside seven NSW RFS crews, playing a critical role in bringing the fire under control.
NSW Police, NSW Ambulance paramedics, and local council workers also supported the major operation. The fire was contained around 1:15 am now, with RFS crews remaining at the scene to extinguish hotspots. No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident. Investigators are on-site today to determine the cause of the fire.
