Police investigate fire in Narrabri CBD building

The cause of a building fire in Narrabri CBD on Sunday night is under investigation by police as ‘suspicious.’

Narrabri Fire and Rescue and emergency services were called to the former Woolworths building on the corner of Lloyd and Maitland Streets, after reports from the public.

The building was unoccupied and has been vacant for several years.

Crime scene investigators were at the site yesterday.

“We are treating it as suspicious and the fire is currently under investigation by the Oxley Criminal Investigation team,” said Narrabri Police Inspector Robert Dunn.

NSW Fire and Rescue Narrabri Station Commander Shane Bradford said calls began to come in to the ‘000’ emergency number from 5.28pm.

“It was fortunate that there was still enough light to see smoke issuing from the building,” Capt Bradford said.

If the smoke had not been visible in darkness the fire would have had more time to take hold.

“As it was there were flames beginning to come out of the windows on the Maitland Street side,” he said.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to attack the blaze on the top floor.

The fire was controlled by 8pm.

Due to the size of the building and the potential danger of the fire, Boggabri firefighters were called to assist along with the Rural Fire Service, police, ambulance and Essential Energy.

Police are appealing for information following a the fire.

Fire crews attended and extinguished multiple fires at the premises with moderate damage sustained to the building.

There were no reports of injuries.

As investigations continue, police are appealing for the public’s assistance to identify any suspicious behaviour in the Tibbereena and Lloyd Streets area around the time of the incident.