Service Station Fire, Lithgow
Published: 2nd March 2006
At around 3am this morning (01/02/06) NSW Fire Brigades Katoomba Communications Centre received numerous triple zero calls reporting a service station on fire in Chifley Rd, Vale of Clwydd near Lithgow. Fire crews from Lithgow and Lithgow West were immediately responded.
The Lithgow brigade was quickly on the scene to be confronted by a substantial fire involving a weatherboard building containing the sales and take-away food sections of a service station. Petrol pumps were also on fire. As firefighters wearing air cylinders commenced an attack on the fire another two brigades from Mt Victoria and Blackheath were sent to assist. Ultimately 20 firefighters were committed to fighting this fire.
Being concerned about the possibility of flammable fuels igniting fire crews ensured fuel supply to the pumps was shut off and the fire involving them extinguished. They also ensured there was no risk to an LPG cylinder storage area. The Lithgow brigade’s hazardous materials trailer stood by as a precaution. Efforts were also concentrated on containing the fire thereby preventing it from spreading to the adjacent mechanics’ workshop.
Fire crews had the fire contained in about 45 minutes. By this time the sales and take-away food sections were extensively damaged however the workshop was successfully defended. Firefighters remained at the scene well into the morning mopping up and performing salvage work.
Due to the hazardous nature of the fire an ambulance stood by at the incident, however there were no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the NSWFB Fire Investigation and Research Unit in cooperation with the Police.
Contact officer: Gordon Boath 0417 293 852