Darren Coyne
Richmond local area command crime manager detective inspector Cameron Lindsay told Echonetdaily that police believed there were a ‘number of people’ in the main street ‘shortly before the fire and shortly after’.
Inspector Lindsay said police were still waiting for the results of forensic testing from the fire site, and were reviewing closed circuit television footage from the morning of the fire.
‘If people have information they should contact Crimestoppers on 1800333000 or local police.
Police interviewed a 27-year-old on the morning of the fire but he was released without charge, and was not deemed a suspect.
While the fire was suspected to have started behind the cafe, witnesses said it quickly jumped across the lane and began to consume the museum, and two adjoining shops-fronts, Tribal Magic and the smoking paraphernalia shop Bringabong.
Det Insp Lindsay said the fire was being treated as suspicious and police had spoken to a number of witnesses.
But he said police were keen to speak with anyone with information about the ‘number of people’ in the main street.
The fire is believed to have started between 3am and 3.30am.
Echonetdaily reported shortly after the fire that threats had been made in the previous week by ‘out-of-towners’ who had allegedly scored a bad drug deal.
Inspector Lindsay said police would be interested to speak with anyone with further information about the rumour.
Meanwhile, despite losing their beloved alley, local drug dealers have continued their trade, although police scored a touchdown against them last week.
While patrolling at the rear of Rainbow Lane, police saw a group of people scatter when they approached.
While searching the area, police discovered a Parramatta football under a sheet of corrugated iron.
The football contained numerous bags of cannabis.
More stories about the Nimbin Fire
Plan to rebuild Nimbin’s ‘heart’ gathers pace
The new owners of the former Nimbin Museum site and associated shops will meet with staff at the Lismore City Council tomorrow.
Nimbin considers future of sites following fire
The future of the iconic buildings burnt to the ground in Nimbin in August is still up in the air.
Nimbin on track to restore its heart
A fundraiser will be held this Saturday aimed at ‘Restoring the Heart’ of Nimbin. The fundraiser is the initiative of Matthew Raikes, who was born in Nimbin, where his mother Cathie McIntosh ran a youth refuge for nearly ten years.
Future of Nimbin fire site up in the air
Sydney businessman Richard Andary has ‘no plans’ for the site on which the Nimbin Museum and adjacent shops once stood before a fire last month.
Police appeal for witnesses to Nimbin fire
Police have issued an appeal to anyone who may have seen ‘a number of people’ in Nimbin’s main street shortly before a fire broke out which gutted the Nimbin Museum, Rainbow Café and other buildings last week.
Nimbin clean-up gets underway
The clean-up of Nimbin as begun. Heavy machinery moved onto the site of last week’s fire this morning to begin the process of removing damaged awnings and other debris.
The man who holds Nimbin’s heart in his hands
The millionaire owner of the building that housed the Nimbin Museum wants to restore it so that it is ‘better than before’.
Nimbin laments loss as fire investigations continue
Nimbin has been left reeling following a fire which destroyed the Nimbin Museum, Rainbow Cafe, and a number of other businesses yesterday morning. But in true hippie spirit, locals are already talking about what will rise from the ashes, as police investigate the cause of the blaze.
Here & Now #67: Nimbin, my place of dreams
I came to Nimbin in the early 80s, a refugee from north Queensland where the police had taken to shooting hippies. Keen to try something new, I started working. The Rainbow Cafe had been empty for some months so my north Queensland family and I took over the lease.
Nimbin’s iconic buildings go up in smoke
Nimbin has lost some of its most iconic buildings including the Nimbin Museum and Rainbow Cafe in a fire that ripped through the heart of the village early this morning.
much of Nimbin has burned down before. Many other premises have narrowly escaped, with evidence of burning blankets under halls, stairs, etc… If Tony Abbott erodes the sustenance for unemployed, and disability pensioners, then we will see more desperate people sleeping under steps and buildings, and we can expect more to burn down. Will Mr Abbott face the blame, for not providing adequate housing for the low income earners??? I think the Abbott government is to blame for this fire.