Boggabilla fire ravages properties in Merriwa Street | Update

Miraculously, firefighters managed to save another home and the local post office from the fierce morning blaze that erupted on Wednesday morning.

NSW Rural Fire Rescue were alerted after a triple zero call about 6am after witnesses saw flames leaping from the CWA Hall at Merriwa Street. 

The fire then quickly spread, engulfing a home but the residents were able to flee to safety, but lost all of their possessions.

“It appears that the premises and their possessions were destroyed by the fire,” New England Detective Inspector Ann Joy told Fairfax Media.

“A canvass has been conducted and inquiries are ongoing in terms of the source of the fire but it is being treated as suspicious because it is believed to have started in the vacant CWA hall.”

Detective Inspector Joy said the fireground was too hot for investigators on Wednesday morning, meaning there was “limited capacity to establish what happened”.

Boggabilla Fire Brigade and Queensland Fire and Rescue crews attended.

“On arrival, the Boggabilla crew found three [properties] alight,” RFS District Officer Stephen Prichard said.

According to Mr Prichard, the fire originated from an abandoned building and spread through long grass to the adjoining properties. He also praised the speedy response of the fire crews.

“It’s a reminder for residents to clear long grass around their houses and gutters, and to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their houses,” he said.

A fire has ripped through properties on a street in Boggabilla, and left two properties destroyed.

NSW Rural Fire Rescue received a triple zero call around 6am on Wednesday in regards to a fire at Merriwa Street, Boggabilla.

Boggabilla Fire Brigade and Queensland Fire and Rescue crews attended to the scene.

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“On arrival, the Boggabilla crew found three houses alight,” RFS District Officer Stephen Prichard said.

According to Mr Prichard, the fire originated from an abandoned building and spread through long grass to the adjoining properties.

A residential home and the local CWA property were lost, one property and the local Post Office were saved.

“Nobody was injured. All the occupants were out of the houses at the time of the fire,” Mr Prichard said.

The flames were extinguished around 6.56am. Moree Fire Station sent a truck to assist, but it was turned back before it arrived at the scene.

Mr Prichard praised the speedy response of the fire crews. He also urged residents to be fire-aware.

“It’s a reminder for residents to clear long grass around their houses and gutters, and to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their houses,” he said.

RFS and NSW police are investigating the cause of the fire. According to Mr Prichard, the cause of the fire is being treated as suspicious.