Taree: Police investigating fire at Pulteney St CBD tobacconist
A fierce and seemingly suspicious fire has ripped through a Taree tobacconist a day after the shop was targeted in an early morning attempted break-in. Here’s what we know.
Mid-North Coast
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Emergency services swarmed a Taree street after a fire tore through a tobacconist.
The front of the Pulteney St tobacconist was left blackened and charred debris was scattered along the footpath on Thursday morning.
A NSW Police spokesman said Manning-Great Lakes Police District officers first attended the business, D.B Tobacconist, about 3.45am on Wednesday when an attempted break and-enter was called in.
Then at 4.30am on Thursday, firefighters and police arrived at the same shop to find it alight.
“NSW Fire and Rescue crews extinguished the blaze shortly afterwards,” the spokesman said.
“No people were in the shop at the time of the fire.”
Peter Willard, Fire and Rescue NSW Taree Station Commander, said firefighters went to work about 4.30am, following a triple-0 call.
When they arrived, the building was fully alight and firefighters were forced to smash the front door in to enter and extinguish the flames.
Mr Willard said: “Based on the burn patterns and what was observed we advised police that it was suspicious.”
“It is believed an accelerant may have been used.”
Police were asked how it was believed the fire started, whether it was being treated as suspicious and whether there were concerns about potential gang activity, considering the recent firebombing and arson of tobacconists statewide.
A spokesman said similar questions “will form part of our ongoing investigation”.
Continuing, Mr Willard said the building was still structurally sound and the flames were out before long.
However, thick black smoke caused a fair amount of damage.
“Fire damage has mainly been contained to the building of origin, but there is extensive smoke damage and this has impacted some other buildings,” Mr Willard said.
“Smoke is worse than fire, generally – it’s very hard to get rid of the smell and stink and it wrecks everything.”
A police crime scene has been established and investigations were ongoing into both the break-in and fire at midday.
Anyone with more information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Earlier in the day, motorists and pedestrians were captivated by the sight of the charred shop and the emergency services action in the area.
The owner of a gym on Victoria St said she spotted fire trucks and police milling about when she opened about 5.30am.
“I thought the street would be closed all day by the looks of it all,” she said, asking not to be named.
The street was open by 7am, though the tobacconist was taped off and specialist investigators were combing through debris, wearing protective masks and other clothing.
Got a news tip? Email: janine.watson@news.com.au
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