Nambucca Leagues and Sports Club destroyed by fire
A popular rugby league and sporting club on the Mid-North Coast packed with memorabilia has been burned to the ground in a massive early morning fire, with smoke billowing across town.
Regional News
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A popular rugby league and sporting club on the Mid-North Coast packed with memorabilia has been destroyed in a massive early morning fire, with smoke billowing across town.
The devastating blaze took hold at the Nambucca Leagues and Sports Club just before 6am on Wednesday.
The NSW Fire and Rescue Service responded to multiple triple-0 calls to an alarm activating, with fire and smoke inside the building in Sports St.
About 40 firefighters and nine fire trucks, including an aerial ladder platform, were on scene, working to restrict the blaze.
Their efforts were complicated by several large gas cylinders exposed to the flames, and significant roof and structural collapse.
Firefighters encountered further challenges with water supply, and accessed additional hydrants, relaying water from truck to truck at the scene.
A 47-year-old man was inside the building at the time but escaped the scene and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for smoke inhalation before being taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital for further treatment.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen across the town with the community reacting to the news.
The sports club has been an integral community hub over the years, playing host to local rugby league and cricket games.
“A lot of history gone. Very sad,” Debbie Grenenger posted on a local Facebook community group.
Patricia Flannigan was at the club’s popular Chinese restaurant on Tuesday night.
“Oh no I was just there last night this is awful - all the history of football photos and memories and the workers and their jobs. It’s just devastating for all.”
FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, was travelling through the area and visiting fire stations when the blaze broke out and assisted firefighting operations at the scene.
“Crews from across the Mid-North Coast faced significant risks (at the scene), including a well-developed fire, structural collapse, and the presence of gas cylinders,” he said.
“Our crews initially entered the building to attack the fire internally, but retreated as the building began to collapse, prioritising the safety of firefighters while continuing operations from the outside.”
He thanked all emergency services involved including the NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Police, and NSW Ambulance for their collaboration and support.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
The fire was officially declared under control about 9am and extinguished at 2pm with crews remaining on the scene into the evening to monitor the situation.
Police attached to the Mid North Coast Police District remain on scene and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Got a news tip? Email: janine.watson@news.com.au
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Originally published as Nambucca Leagues and Sports Club destroyed by fire
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