Multiple emergency services attended the incident which unfolded at about six o’clock after fire was detected at a bungalow – which was unoccupied at the time, although the owner returned soon after.

No one was injured, and the response included Fire and Rescue units from Nambucca Heads, Macksville, Coffs Harbour (HAZMAT), Rural Fire Service brigades from Valla Beach, Valla and Nambucca Headquarters as well as police and ambulance.

On arrival crews were confronted with a single level bungalow well alight, with flames beginning to impact an adjacent home.

“Several gas cylinders were venting on our arrival and Valla Beach had a line at work getting a hit on a 9kg barbecue cylinder while firefighter Brookes and I donned SCBA and advanced down that side,” FRNSW Nambucca Heads Captain Rob Couchman told the Guardian.

Firefighters at work:

“Firefighters Foreman and Bush also attacked the main fire at the same time as we went in.”

The fire was quickly brought under control and firefighters then spent several hours mopping up.

“One bungalow was totally destroyed by fire. Another suffered fire damage and extensive smoke and water damaged,” Capt Couchman said.

The cause of the fire has not been determined and is being investigated.

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