Woman heartbroken after Ballina tobacconist firebombing destroys home

A woman living above a firebombed northern NSW tobacconist has been left devastated after the inferno ripped through her home, leaving her with “nothing but the clothes on her back”.

A woman living above a firebombed northern NSW tobacconist has been left devastated after the inferno ripped through her home, leaving her with “nothing but the clothes on her back”.

Police and Fire and Rescue NSW were called to the blaze on River St, Ballina at about 3.30am on Wednesday, with detectives discovering a Mercedes car had driven through the business and burst into flames.

The extensive fire, which took hours to control, erupted onto the street and torched a parked car.

Police are now investigating the suspicious blaze, which they suspect is a deliberate arson attack.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the woman living above the business, Helen Daws, on behalf of her niece, Olivia Kuhl.

Helen Daws and her niece, Olivia Kuhl, outside her firebombed home. Picture: Supplied.

“Aunty Helen has lost her entire life in under 30 mins. A ram raid on the tobacconist has destroyed the entire building including her flat, and my old flat, which Christine lived in,” Ms Kuhl wrote.
“To burn along with my new car, dad’s work ute and anything both these girls had in their life. They only have the clothes on their back…please anything at all will help.

“They (the women) will be sleeping on our couch tonight and we will go from there.”
The fundraiser has notched up $1400 towards a $10,000 target.
Ms Kuhl told this publication she had only bought the car, a 2001 mini, four weeks ago. She does not have insurance for the vehicle.
“It’s just heartbreaking. My aunt luckily has a spare room of mine to stay in next door and I’m sleeping on the couch,” she said. In the wake of the Ballina firebombing, and several others throughout the Northern Rivers and the Mid-North Coast region in recent months, local MP Kevin Hogan took a scathing swipe at the Labor Government over its handling of vape regulation.

Tobacconist fire on River St, Ballina on October 23, 2024. Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

“(This) suspected arson attack in our community is exactly why we need a regulated vaping model. Criminal gangs are running the illegal vape industry,” he said.
“Labor’s prohibition is opening the industry to organised crime. And is the reason we are seeing attacks on vaping outlets.
“Illegal activity involving vapes and tobacco is continuing to rise, and people are also inhaling ingredients they have no information about.

“The Coalition’s strictly regulated model under the TGA will ensure there is controlled licencing to over 18s, whilst keeping it illegal to under 18s, similar to cigarettes. We would also invest $250 million for the policing and law enforcement of vapes.

“Importantly, by regulating this product, the Government would receive excise revenue which could also be put back into health and education.”

Watch: Tobacconist blows up in suspected arson attack

October 24: A northern NSW tobacconist has erupted in flames in a suspected arson attack overnight, with firefighters scrambling to extinguish the blaze.

Fire and Rescue NSW was called to the inferno on River Street at Ballina about 3.30am Wednesday, after the building exploded and torched a car parked on the road.

A Mercedes Benz sedan was driven into the business and set alight, which caused the savage blaze, according to NSW Police.

Officers have launched an investigation amid a spate of other tobacconist arson and ram raid attacks statewide in recent times, including on the North and Mid-North coasts.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said work was “ongoing” and firefighters were still working to extinguish the blaze about 8am on Wednesday.

The Ballina tobacconist fire Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

“Please be advised that due to an ongoing incident, River Street, Ballina between Kerr and Grant streets remains closed.” he said.

“Firefighters remain on scene extinguishing a building fire.

“Residents are encouraged to remain inside with doors and windows closed due to smoke in the area.

“Our drone will also be flying over the scene to monitor fire and building conditions.”

Residents in the area took to social media to share wild footage, including the building erupting in flames.

One person claimed people living above the shop “would have lost everything”. Another said they believed the tobacconist had only recently set up shop in the building.

The Ballina tobacconist fire. Picture: Facebook/Fire and Rescue NSW Ballina

Richmond Police District officers found a silver Mercedes “well alight” in the shop, a NSW Police spokesman said.

“Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival,” he said.

“FRNSW firefighters attended and extinguished the blaze, however, the building was extensively damaged.

“Surrounding units were evacuated and two other vehicles were damaged by the blaze.”

No one was injured in the fire, according to emergency services.

Police probed a suspicious fire at a Taree tobacconist. Picture: Janine Watson.

The Ballina blaze comes after a number of alleged arson and ram raid attacks on tobacconists across the Mid-North and North Coast of the state.

In August, an Ocean Shores tobacconist was reportedly firebombed. In June, emergency services also swarmed a Taree street after a fire tore through a tobacconist.

Police believe an Ocean Shores tobacconist was targeted. Picture: Supplied

Police have not suggested the Ballina tobacconist fire is linked to previous incidents.

It comes as police have been investigating the ‘tobacco wars’ statewide and organised crime links to illegal tobacco supply in Sydney and regionally.

Fears were aired in June that more intense gangland warfare and fire bombings seen interstate could trouble in NSW.

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Originally published as Woman heartbroken after Ballina tobacconist firebombing destroys home