IT was a lucky escape for Coates Hire Gunnedah, after fire crews from Gunnedah Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service saved equipment from being damaged in a suspected electrical fire.
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Crews were called out to the Kamilaroi Highway business on Sunday and took an hour to bring the fire under control as flames spread to the rear of the premises and threatened neighboring properties.
Gunnedah Fire and Rescue captain David Welch told The Namoi Valley Independent “it was a very lucky outcome” for the business.
“At this stage I would assume failure of insulator caused the fire,” Captain Welch said.
“Coates Hire were really lucky as there was no real damage to any of their equipment or property.”
Captain Welch applauded the efforts of not only fire crews but also nearby neighbours.
“The residents of the house behind did a good job too,” he said.
“They lost some garden area but it certainly could of been a lot worse.”
The Gunnedah captain said the fire was a timely reminder for locals to be fire ready.
“It’s so important to have your bush fire plan in place,” he said.
“As well as that, it’s still so important for people to call 000 quickly and with good information to help firefighters respond as promptly as possible.”
The electrical fire follows a busy week for the Gunnedah firefighters as two fire and rescue team members were deployed to assist their Narrabri colleagues with hot refuelling helicopters fighting the fire at Kaputar.