Mallanganee home destroyed by fire, crime scene established

Crime Scene investigators are now looking into the cause of the blaze which unfolded in a Northern Rivers village overnight.

Despite the best efforts of crews from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, a home in a Northern Rivers village burned to the ground overnight. Picture: Richmond River independent

A senior police officer from Richmond Police District has confirmed that a property which was devastated by fire on Tuesday night is now a crime scene.

”An investigation was done today by crime scene officers,” the senior officer said.

“The investigation by detectives is continuing.”

The officer declined to speculate on the cause of the fire at this stage of the investigation.

But he did ask that anyone who may have any knowledge of the fire to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

CRIME SCENE: Detectives from Richmond Police District Crime Scene were undertaking investigations into the cause of a fire at a property in Mallanganee on Tuesday 8 September, 2021.

Earlier on Wednesday September 9, 2021, Mallanganee Rural Fire Brigade captain Neville O’Malley said that when and his crews arrived at a roaring house fire on Tuesday night, they knew they had a serious incident on their hands.

Mr O’Malley said the property at Tooloom Street in Mallanganee, 40km west of Casino, was “well and truly alight”

So much so that firefighters sprayed more than 27,000 litres of water to extinguish the flames and bring the fire under control.

“We were called out at 8pm last night and when we arrived the house was burning at the back,” he said.

“Once we started to work on extinguishing the fire, units from Tabulam and Mummulgum arrived and helped.

“Then there was flashover and a bang, and the fire ignited all the internal spaces.

“It was too dangerous to enter the building, we don’t have breathing apparatus, so we stayed outside and used hoses to put in water through the windows.”

Mr O’Malley said crews attempted to contain the flames by forcing the fire back over the areas already turned to charcoal by the intense heat.

“Our strategy was to start on a front corner and push the fire back on itself towards the ignition point,” he said.

“This may have been around the wood stove or fireplace in the kitchen area.”

Mr O’Malley said firefighters from Casino Fire and Rescue also played a significant role in supporting their volunteer colleagues.

“They were drafting (pumping water) for our trucks,” he said.

“It would take us 20 minutes to fill a 3,500 litre tank and they could do it in five minutes, they did a really good job.”

Mr O’Malley said he was thankful that the property was empty and everyone was safe.

“Everybody was out of the house,” he said.

“Our last truck left the scene at 2.30am, then there was a flare up at 4am with some house contents smouldering, but it was too dangerous to enter the building.

“I was back here at 7am to check on the incident.”

It is understood that Richmond police District Crime Scene detectives are currently at the property assessing the incident.

Earlier on Wednesday, 8 September, 2021, Rural Fire Service Inspector Daniel Ainsworth confirmed crews from the Mallanganee, Tumbulgum and Tabulam Fire Brigades attended along with a team from Fire and Rescue in Casino.

Despite the best efforts of crews from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, a home in a Northern Rivers village burned to the ground on 7 September 2021. Picture: Richmond River independent

Mr Ainsworth said the occupants were out of the property when crews arrived on scene.

“The fire peaked very quickly in an old fibro house,” he said.

“Firefighters were unable to save it but they were able to protect an adjoining house.”

Despite the best efforts of crews from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, a home in a Northern Rivers village burned to the ground. Picture: Richmond River independent

Mr Ainsworth said crews left the scene about 1am, before being called back to a flare up.

Despite the best efforts of crews from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, a home in a Northern Rivers village burned to the ground. Picture: Richmond River independent

“Firefighters were called back about 4am today to deal with a flare up,” he said.

“Police also attended last night and detectives will attended the scene today.”

At least seven crews from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, attended a fire but were unable to save a home in a Northern Rivers village burned to the ground overnight. Picture: Richmond River independent