Fire Rages Through Kurri Kurri Furniture Workshop

11 October 2024

Kurri Kurri Fire Last Night, Image by Media Response Newcastle — Kurri Kurri Fire Last Night, Image above by Media Response Newcastle

[Updated 2:12pm] A devastating fire tore through Resourceful Living, a furniture manufacturing workshop located at 115 Northcote Street, Kurri Kurri, late last night. The fire, which broke out around 11:00pm on 10 October 2024, required an extensive emergency response, with 15 fire trucks and 60 firefighters battling the blaze for over four hours.

Firefighters faced significant challenges as a result of a large roof collapse, which hampered efforts to control the fire. Despite these obstacles, crews worked tirelessly, employing water sprays and jets to protect adjoining buildings and prevent the fire from spreading further. The building was well-stocked with a substantial fuel load, adding to the intensity of the blaze.

Acting Duty Commander for the Lower Hunter, Daniel Aglins, explained the situation: “We had exposures at risk due to the rapid intensity of the fire, but crews were able to protect those exposures and contain the fire to the building of origin. As far as we know, the building was unoccupied at the time, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.”

The incident also prompted the involvement of specialist HAZMAT teams, who were deployed to monitor air quality and ensure nearby drains were protected from hazardous runoff. The team worked in coordination with the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mitigate any potential environmental impact.

A Newy 87.8 reporter arrived at the scene at 12:35am, observing the building still ablaze, with firefighters working into the early hours of the morning. It wasn’t until after 3:00am that the fire was brought under control.

Once the fire is fully extinguished, authorities will collaborate with NSW Police to investigate the cause of the blaze. One firefighter was treated for heat-related conditions at the scene but has since recovered. No other injuries have been reported.

This incident has drawn the attention of local residents, many of whom gathered in the streets to witness the large-scale response from emergency services. Updates will follow as more details about the investigation emerge.