Latest news with #FireAndRescueNSW
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Health minister sounds alarm over arson attacks after another tobacconist destroyed by fire
The NSW health minister has raised concerns about a string of tobacconists burning down after a business in his local electorate was destroyed in suspicious circumstances at the weekend. About 40 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW responded to the blaze which ripped through the Russell Street retail outlet at around 7:00pm on Sunday. Three residents were evacuated from a nearby unit block as firefighters worked to stop the flames spreading to neighbouring buildings. In a statement, police said there were no injuries and the fire was being treated as suspicious. The shop was destroyed. The incident occurred in the local electorate of NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park. The Member for Keira said "alleged arsonists" could be responsible for the blaze. "This is extremely concerning for me both as a local member and as a resident," he said. The fire comes a month after another tobacconist in Ettalong on the NSW Central Coast was destroyed in an arson attack. Mr Park said some tobacco shops had been associated with organised crime. "If we don't get on top of this and we continue to see the proliferation of these stores popping up all over the place, that's bad news for the community and terrible for our local towns," Mr Park said. The incident came just 24 hours after the NSW government announced tougher laws to crack down on the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping goods. Under the new legislation, an offence involving the commercial possession of illicit tobacco carries a maximum fine of more than $1.5 million and up to seven years imprisonment. The changes will also grant health inspectors the authority to close premises found to be in breach of the rules. Mr Park said the new laws were necessary. "That's the type of legislation that we are bringing in, that we have to bring in, because we have to get on top of this issue," he said. Police have urged anyone with information or footage of the incident that might help their investigation to contact Crime Stoppers.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Australian police and emergency services hilariously turn THAT Coldplay kisscam moment into a meme
Several Aussie emergency services have cheekily jumped on the viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' moment that left one couple horrified – by turning it into a series of hilarious memes. On Wednesday, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin caught two unsuspecting fans off guard at the band's Boston concert when the camera landed on them during a 'kiss cam' segment at Gillette Stadium. The moment went viral – and by Friday, Aussie emergency services were having some fun with it, using the now-famous image in a string of tongue-in-cheek social media posts. The NSW Police Force shared a photoshopped image of the stunned couple with a flashing police car behind them, playfully referencing the awkward embrace that had thousands of fans watching. Not to be outdone, Fire and Rescue NSW posted the pair superimposed in front of a burning house, captioned: 'Don't let sparks fly… from your overloaded power board.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Live Traffic NSW also got in on the action, placing the image over a Sydney traffic map with the caption: 'Avoid unplanned incidents with Live Traffic NSW. 'If you're planning a drive this weekend, let us fix you up with a helpful tip. Download the app for planned event impacts (yes, including concerts).' The memes quickly gained traction online – but have since been quietly deleted from all official pages. It comes after an image of colleagues Andrew Byron and Kristin Cabot appeared on the big screen at a Coldplay concert in Boston, and the pair looked mortified. This prompted Martin to joke they were 'either having an affair or just very shy'. 'Oh look at these two! Oh what?' he exclaimed in a video shared to TikTok - which has now racked up millions of views - as they covered their faces and dived behind the barrier. The duo, who were embracing one another as they swayed to the music and smiled, suddenly appeared in the footage projected across to the whole audience. Embarrassed, the woman covered her face as she walked away from the viewpoint, while the man ducked down quickly - as the musician, 48, made his quip. Live Traffic NSW also got in on the action, placing the image over a Sydney traffic map with an amusing caption The stunned words uttered by the CEO of a billion-dollar company who was caught cosying up to a female colleague on a Coldplay concert kisscam have since been revealed. As he caught view of himself on the big screen, he appeared to snap 'f***ing hell, it's me'. The band are currently in the US as part of their record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour. They will next play Maddison, Nashville and Miami before heading back to the UK for a string of dates in August. Coldplay have topped the list of artist earnings from live concerts this year.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
Childcare group faces second fire in four days
A childcare centre operator is dealing with a second suspicious fire in less than a week. An automatic alarm alerted authorities to a blaze at Play to Learn Early Learning Centre's Castle Hill centre in Sydney's northwest early on Monday morning. It followed a fire at Play to Learn's Turramurra facility on Friday the childcare operators labelled a suspected arson attack. Minimal damage was recorded in both fires, with an automatic system protecting the Castle Hill facility when firefighters arrived at 1.30 am on Monday. "Firefighters arrived to find a childcare centre which had an installed fire sprinkler system activated," Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Superintendent Mathew Sigmund said. "(We) gained entry to the building and located what had previously been a fire, which had been extinguished by the installed fire sprinkler system." Firefighters ventilated the building before handing the scene to police. There were no injuries in either fire while in Friday's incident, the centre sustained fire damage to its foyer and outside, along with smoke damage throughout. Operators of the childcare centre said a CCTV system captured the incident and they would work closely with police on the investigation. Play to Learn Founder and director Jade Luci said the alleged arson was senseless and had left the community heartbroken. "We have no concerns about safety when our families return, and we look forward to welcoming them back to a centre that remains as safe, nurturing, and connected as ever," she said. Play to Learn has operated for 19 years and runs three centres across NSW. Its Turramurra location opened less than two months ago.
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- News.com.au
Toddler, woman in her 20s killed in fiery crash on NSW's mid-north coast
A toddler and a woman have been killed in a fiery single-vehicle crash on the NSW mid-north coast, with would-be rescuers saying there was 'no possible way' to save them. Emergency services responded on Thursday just after 9.30am to reports of a crash on Hat Head Rd near the tiny coastal town of Hat Head, near South West Rocks. Officers from the local Mid North Coast Police District found the vehicle engulfed in flames after it collided a tree. Police found the body of a woman they believed to be in her 20s and a child believed to be two-years-old inside the vehicle after crews from Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire. Both are yet to be formally identified. One local woman posted on social that a friend of hers was one of the first to see the crash and tried to save the occupants. 'They tried to rescue them with a few others and sadly there was no way possible before the car went up,' she wrote. 'They are gutted.' The small Hat Head community of 365 people expressed an outpouring of sympathy on social media following the news. 'There has been an incredibly sad update on yesterday's crash on Hat Head Road,' an admin on a community Facebook page wrote. 'The HHC Admin Team's deepest sympathies go to those in the car, and their friends and family. 'And to everyone in Hat Head and close by, we hope you all find the strength to get through this horrible event.' Local NSW MP Michael Kemp posted on social media alerting his community to the incident. 'Sadly there has been a single car crash resulting in a fatality on a Hat Head Road at Hat Head. Please avoid the area for emergency services to access the accident,' he posted on Thursday. The federal MP for the region Pat Conaghan also posted about the 'tragic news'. 'My thoughts go to family and friends who are dealing with this unimaginable event,' the Nationals MP said. 'To our community, a reminder to stay safe on our roads this holiday season, don't take risks, drive to the conditions and ensure your vehicle is maintained to safety standards. 'Any life lost on our roads is one life too many.' Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the cause of the crash.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Toddler, woman killed in fiery crash
A toddler and a woman in her 20s have been killed in a fiery single-vehicle crash on the NSW mid-north coast. Emergency services responded on Thursday morning just after 9.30am to reports of a crash on Hat Head Rd near the tiny coastal town of Hat Head. Officers from the local Mid North Coast Police District found the vehicle engulfed in flames after it collided a tree. Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire. Police found the body of a woman they believed to be in her 20s and a child believed to be two-years-old inside the vehicle. Both are yet to be formally identified. Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the cause of the crash.
