Fire investigators to probe Lake Macquarie City Council chambers blaze at Speers Point
Specialist fire investigators and detectives have been called in to probe a blaze which has damaged parts of a council chambers during a pre-dawn fire sparked near the building’s front foyer.
Newcastle
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Fire investigators have been called in to probe a blaze which has damaged part of the Lake Macquarie City Council chambers and prompted staff to work from home this morning.
Fire crews were called to the three-storey building at Speers Point before 4am and found flames inside the customer service centre near the front foyer of the building.
More than a dozen fire crews were called in to assist and had gained control of the blaze by 5.15am.
Parts of the ground floor have been significantly damaged and there is smoke and heat damage on level one.
Specialist fire investigators – as well as Lake Macquarie detectives – have been called in to look at the cause of the blaze.
Council chief executive officer Morven Cameron confirmed investigations were underway.
“We will work closely with NSW Fire & Rescue to determine the cause of the fire and assess damage to the building,” she said.
“We’ve asked all administrative centre staff to work from home today. Unfortunately, the centre will be closed for the time being for walk-in customers.”
Council’s customer service hotline (4921 0333) was currently out of action, but back-up arrangements were underway to get it back online.
“We will do everything we can to get the building and our Customer Service hotline reopened quickly,” Ms Cameron said.
“We’re grateful to emergency services who attended the scene and thank the community for their patience.”
All other council services outside the administrative centre will continue to operate as usual.
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