Emma Pritchard

Investigations into the cause of a fire which destroyed a Clarence Valley property last week remain ongoing.

At 8am on November 16, emergency services including crews from Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station, South Grafton Fire and Rescue 307 Station, Maclean Fire and Rescue 372 Station, Yamba Fire and Rescue 510 Station, Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades from Gulmarrad, Ashby, and Wooloweyah, SES personnel, and NSW Ambulance paramedics attended the Maclean Clarence Valley Imaging premises in River Street, close to the CBD, as it was engulfed by thick smoke and flames.

Inspector Tracey Spindler, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Duty Commander for the Northern Rivers said an employee saw the fire at the rear of the building shortly before 8am when they arrived for work and quickly alerted authorities.

40 occupants in neighbouring properties including the Maclean Ambulance Station and the Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Maclean office were evacuated as a precautionary measure while the blaze was contained.

No other buildings were damaged and traffic diversions remained in place throughout the day.

Inspector Spindler told the Clarence Valley Independent crews did a fantastic job to contain the fire and confirmed the timber structure, built in the early 1900s, was unoccupied when the blaze began.

She also confirmed a number of radiography machines and ultrasound equipment destroyed by the fire did not present any danger to residents.

“I received advice from a scientific adviser who informed me that once the power is cut to those machines, they no longer present a radiological hazard,” she said.

Crews remained on site during the day while automated hoses were set up to douse any hot spots.

Clarence Valley Imaging customers in Maclean have been advised to travel to Grafton for alternative appointments and to also present to Maclean District Hospital.

The Clarence Valley Independent will continue to provide updates as more information is made available.