Mullumbimby Railway Station in Byron Shire goes up in flames, electrical fault suspected
A historic railway station in the heart of northern NSW has burned down overnight, despite the efforts of about 20 firefighters. Here’s what authorities have to say.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A historic railway station in the heart of northern New South Wales has burned down overnight.
On Monday morning, concerned resident Nicqui Yazdi took to Facebook saying firefighters were called to the heritage Mullumbimby Railway Station on Station St, Mullumbimby, at about 12.30am overnight.
Fire and Rescue NSW confirmed a triple-0 call was received shortly after midnight.
The service tasked 20 firefighters and four trucks to a “building alight on Prince St” at Mullumbimby.
The first firefighters on scene “observed a building fully involved in fire with flames through the roof”, according to a statement.
Crews doused the fire with hoses and the blaze was extinguished by 2.20am.
Firefighters searched the building and “the scene was handed to NSW Police for investigation” about 4.30am.
Tweed Byron Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe confirmed the fire was not being treated as suspicious.
“It was caused by an electrical outburst. There was a leak in the old station’s roof above the electrical circuit,” he said.
Insp Kehoe said officers checked CCTV and confirmed no activity around the time of the fire.
“We checked CCTV footage and nobody had walked past the building for more than 24 hours,” he said.
In photos shared to social media, the station is blackened and gutted from the fire. Several firefighters were still on the scene about 8am on Monday.
The structure’s roof has been destroyed and police tape was strung up around the scene.
The station, which was built in 1894, formed part of the now mostly-disused Murwillumbah line from Casino to Murwillumbah.
The line to Mullumbimby was closed in 2004 when routes from Casino ceased.
The station forecourt is served by NSW TrainLink coach services to Casino and Tweed Heads.
In the station’s heyday, trains from Sydney and the old Gold Coast motorail would pass through.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters group posted on Facebook, saying the fire was a “very sad ending” for the station.
“Very sad ending for the (3rd) Mullumbimby station, burnt out after a fire in the early hours of April 22,” a moderator wrote.
More Coverage
Originally published as Mullumbimby Railway Station in Byron Shire goes up in flames, electrical fault suspected
Join the conversation
‘It’s a day of celebration’: Shock remarks at western Sydney rally
There’s a massive police presence across Sydney as evening gatherings on the grim anniversary of Hamas attacks get under way. At Lakemba Mosque, hundreds have massed as a police chopper flies overhead.
Read more
‘So, so devastating’: Mainstay deli shuts after 70 years
The closure of an iconic southwest Sydney deli has prompted its legion of customers to express how the institution – treasured like the Opera House – meant more than prosciutto and panini.
Read more