By Amber Schultz and Perry Duffin
NSW Police have released an image of a man they believe can assist investigators following an explosion and a fire targeting a Legal Aid office and law firm on the Central Coast on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to a location along Donnison Street in Gosford following reports of several explosions. The building was evacuated just before 2.30pm.
Police have released an image of a man they believe can assist investigators following an explosion and a fire in Gosford.Credit: NSW Police
A short time later they were called to a separate office building along the same street following reports of a fire, with witnesses telling police they saw a man allegedly light the fire and flee.
Police have described the man they wish to speak to as a “short, chubby” man believed to be in his 60s who was wearing an all-black face covering, a black T-shirt, dark pants and shoes and a dark cap.
Conditsis Lawyers director Michael Mantaj told the ABC he was inside the building at the time.
“I didn’t see the guy but someone threw an incendiary device,” he said.
“All staff are accounted for. Fortunately, no one was injured.”
A Legal Aid NSW spokesperson confirmed an explosion occurred in the building.
“Legal Aid NSW’s Gosford office has been temporarily shut and all staff have been evacuated following an explosion that caused a small fire in the reception area,” the spokesperson said.
“No members of our staff or clients have been injured.”
Firefighters outside the building on Donnison Street in Gosford.Credit: ABC
A previous email circulated internally stated management had heard there were small explosions at the office and the courthouse – however, it’s now believed the courthouse was not targeted.
Fire and Rescue NSW said 11 fire trucks and 40 firefighters were sent to the scene and about 50 people were evacuated from the buildings. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes.
A 54-year-old employee was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.
No other injuries have been reported.
Video circulated on social media showed several police officers sprinting along nearby William Street following the explosion.
Donnison Street remains closed in several sections near Dane Drive, Mann Street, and Baker Street, with motorists and the community urged to avoid the area.
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