Firefighters said it was lucky no-one was inside when a house caught fire on Ballina Road

Firefighters arrived on the scene within six minutes, but the property on Ballina Road was badly damaged and authorities believe it may have been deliberately lit.

HOUSE FIRE: Emergency services were called to a fire in a derelict property on Ballina Rd, Girards Hill around 4am on Tuesday May 11, 2021.Photo: Alison Paterson

In the early hours of Tuesday May 11, emergency services from Lismore and Goonellabah attended a house fire on Ballina Rd.

According to Lismore Fire & Rescue Station officer Ian Grimwood, the property on Ballina Rd near Girards Hill appeared to be unoccupied when fire crews arrived on scene.

“The house looked derelict when we arrived although I understand there had been squatters there in the past,” he said.

“We were alerted at 3.54am today and were on scene within six minutes”.

Mr Grimwood said the timber property was well alight when they arrived.

GIRARDS HILL FIRE: Emergency services were called to a fire in a derelict property on Ballina Rd, Girards Hill around 4am on Tuesday May 11, 2021.Photo: Alison Paterson

“The fire appeared to have started at ground level in the garage area and shot through the ceiling into the floor, walls and roof above.”

Mr Grimwood said two pumper crews from Lismore Fire Station, as well as the Hazmat team from Fire & Rescue Goonellabah, worked to extinguish the flames.

SMOKE DAMAGE: Emergency services were called to a fire in a derelict property on Ballina Rd, Girards Hill, around 4am on Tuesday May 11, 2021.Photo: Alison Paterson

“Police and ambulance were also in attendance,” Mr Grimwood said.

“We had the fire extinguished in around an hour.”

Mr Grimwood said at this stage the source of the fire is still being investigated.

“We assume the fire is suspicious that it began underneath the house,” he said.

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