A FIRE that severely damaged a Tamworth chinese restaurant could have been much worse if crews had not arrived when they did, the region’s fire chief has said.
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He also said it highlights the very real need for a 24-hour fire presence in the city, something that is not due to come online until later this year.
While forensic police examined the scene at the Dragon Palace Chinese Restaurant on Wednesday, nearby business owners have told The Leader they’re thankful the ferocious blaze was stopped in its tracks.
Emergency services were called to the Peel St business just before 1am, after witnesses reported seeing heavy smoke and flames coming from the building.
When crews arrived they found the back of the building well alight and had to force their way into the kitchen.
Tamworth zone Superintendent Tom Cooper said a crew had been returning from another call out when they were diverted to the scene.
“When they were on the way they called for backup as they could see the smoke and flames,” he said.
It took 16 firefighters from the city’s two stations to bring the blaze under control.
Superintendent Cooper said the situation could have been much worse, with concerns the fire could potentially spread to the Tamworth Firearms building.
He said crews did not believe the fire was suspicious.
“It was a pretty good effort to get in there as quick as they did and knock it down – had it gone for another few minutes we could have seen the whole building engulfed,” he said.
“With the threat of Tamworth firearms next door it could have been a massive conflagration had they not gotten there as quick as they did.”
Superintendent Cooper said it’s believed the fire started in the kitchen, spread into the restaurant and then into the ceiling ducting.
“We believe it may have been started in the electrical wiring in the rear of the kitchen,” he said.
“The restaurant suffered a lot of heat and smoke damage and the premises will be out of action for some time.”
Tamworth Firearms owner Belinda Murray thanked crews for their efforts in preventing the fire from spreading.
“The quick response of the fire brigade and all authorities ensured no other businesses were affected by this unfortunate event,” she said.
Customers also took to social media to express their sadness and wish the business a speedy recovery.
Superintendent Cooper said the situation highlighted the need for a round the clock fire presence in Tamworth, something which is not due to come online at the Tamworth City Station until December.
The fire is the second blaze to strike the business in three years after a minor fire at the restaurant in June 2014.
