Police say an investigation is underway following a fire at a business in Ballina earlier this morning.
About 3.30am (Wednesday 23 October 2024), emergency services were called to River Street, Ballina, following reports of a building fire.
On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District located a silver Mercedes sedan inside a shopfront, well alight. Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival.
FRNSW firefighters attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged. Surrounding units were evacuated. No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the incident has commenced.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information or footage in relation to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Fire and Rescue NSW statement
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have extinguished an extensive building fire early this morning at Ballina, on the state’s North Coast. Multiple Triple Zero (000) calls were received about the blaze which broke out just after 3.30am on River Street.
More than 25 firefighters and six fire trucks responded to the incident in the two-storey premises. Upon arrival, firefighters quickly got to work to extinguish the blaze and protect neighbouring properties.
The building was completely destroyed and three vehicles parked outside the property were extensively damaged. It took crews over two hours to contain the fire.
Residents in the two units on the second floor self-evacuated, as well as from adjoining properties, and there were no reported injuries.
Firefighters set up an exclusion zone for specialist engineers to assess the structural integrity of the building, and conducted air quality testing in neighbouring units.
NSW Ambulance was also in attendance.
A video showing the aftermath of the event can be seen below:
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