Firefighters battle building inferno on the NSW/QLD border - Tweed Heads South
Published: 18 Oct 2023 12:07pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews are mopping up after a large fire which engulfed a building last night at Tweed Heads South, on the New South Wales and Queensland border.
FRNSW and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) deployed more than 40 firefighters and eight fire trucks when the blaze ignited a 'mixed use' site on Parkside Drive, around 7:45pm yesterday.
The fire initially impacted three storage units and a mezzanine platform before strong winds fanned flames through the entire structure, destroying all 28 storage units and two commercial premises.
A large amount of household items, including highly flammable LPG cylinders, were being stored inside the units and fuelling the inferno.
An exclusion zone was set up as the fire began to rapidly expand and the roof and external walls started collapsing.
A neighbouring truck yard also came under threat, with several trailers having to be relocated, while factories and shops in nearby streets were forced to close due to heavy smoke drifting towards them.
By midnight - around four hours into the incident - fire crews were able to bring the fire under control the fire.
They continued to attack the blaze throughout the night, with significant help from a QFES aerial platform fire truck.
No injuries have been reported.
Firefighters today continue to douse hotspots, with FRNSW's Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), or drones, helping crews inspect the rubble.
Once the fire is extinguished, investigators will begin examining the site and attempt to determine what sparked the fire.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional images from the Tweed Heads fire scene are available on the FRNSW website. Video footage can be accessed here - https://vimeo.com/875395663/436cb44d9b [external link]
Updated: 18 Oct 2023 12:11pm
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
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
4/23 Corporation Circuit, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486
1 Dry Dock Road, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
154 Marine Parade, Kingscliff NSW 2487