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EXPLOSIONS & FIRE |
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BALLINA STREET BRIDGE THREATENED BY FLAMES
 Explosion after explosion was heard
echoing through the Lismore CBD and surrounding areas
shortly after 10pm last night (Tuesday, 28 July 2015).
Neighbours would later tell of their homes
shaking and flames climbing high into the night sky.
The explosions were heard as far away as Goonellabah
with people coming from far and wide to see what was
going on.
The calls to emergency services
poured in about explosions and fire as the police
supervisor broadcast an
urgent job for police to attend the vicinity of the
Ballina Street Bridge in Lismore. Police
acknowledged the broadcast immediately and two
police vehicles made their way. Fire brigade were
also on the way.
 Flames could be seen lapping
the underside of the Ballina Street Bridge with some
motorists describing seeing the flames reaching over
the top as they drove across. In the initial
confusion, emergency services initially went to the
western side before returning to the underside of
the eastern end of the bridge near the boat ramp.
What has been described as a heavy lift forklift was
well alight. A boat was attached to the vehicle but
appears to have survived the blaze.
The first fire truck arrived
and got some water onto the blaze quite quickly. Two
police vehicles arrived soon after with a second
fire truck close behind. The fire, although
spectacular to watch as it sent flames and smoke
high into the night sky lapping the bridge, was
quickly controlled and soon extinguished.
 Roads & Maritime Services have been working on the
Ballina Street Bridge for some time and this
equipment was stored in their compound under the
bridge. The blaze brought back memories of the recent fire
near Lismore Racecourse where a Lismore City Council
roller was set alight and destroyed.
Although
some at the scene believed it was paint while others
believed it was the tyres exploding, it is not yet
known what caused the explosions or how the fire
started. Firefighters donned breathing apparatus when they went in
close to fight the fire.
Investigations are continuing.
Published
29 July 2015. |
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