Fire destroys school building - Lismore
Published: 29 Mar 2025 10:43am
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have worked through the night to contain a large fire that destroyed a Richmond River High School building, that was due for demolition, in North Lismore.
At approximately 6.30pm on Friday, more than 50 firefighters and ten fire trucks responded to numerous Triple Zero (000) calls to a fire in a building in Lake Street, with reports of flames and thick smoke.
On arrival, crews were faced with a large expanding fire in a large building located at the front of the school that was impacting adjoining buildings. Firefighters successfully established cut off points and contained the fire.
NSW Police assisted with establishing a 150-metre exclusion zone, with road closures in place on Lake Street, Winterton Parade, Pitt Lane and Bridge Street, and the public was advised to avoid the area.
The intensity of the fire led to a building collapse at the front of the school, which added to the complexity of the operation.
The fire was contained after approximately 2.5 hours, however firefighters then turned their efforts to protecting adjoining buildings and extinguishing hotspots.
Crews rotated through the night and into the morning. A FRNSW Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) drone was used to assist in identifying and extinguishing remaining hotspots.
Several firefighters were treated at the scene for suspected dehydration and heat exhaustion by NSW Ambulance Paramedics, and one firefighter was transported to Hospital as a precaution, and has since been cleared and released.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being treated as suspicious. The site will be handed over to NSW Police today, who will investigate the origin and cause of the fire, with assistance of FRNSW investigators.
Media note: Footage from the incident can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/1070492337/3d09c04407?share=copy [external link]
Updated: 29 Mar 2025 09:48am
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
139-141 Molesworth Street, Lismore NSW 2480
13 Taylor Avenue, Goonellabah NSW 2480
1 Mellis Circuit, Alstonville NSW 2477