About 8:15pm on Thursday 23rd February 2023, Wallsend Fire and Rescue were called to the intersection of Minmi Road and Macquarie Street in Wallsend after reports of smoke in the vicinity of that location.

Upon arrival, crews observed thick smoke emitting from the rear of J Block (Construction and Cooking Classroom Facilities) located inside Callaghan College Wallsend Campus.

Crews gained entry into the school where they located an electrical fire in the Metals and Engineering workshop located at the south end of J Block.

Due to the location of the fire and the crews on scene not being able to gain direct access. Crews dragged 90 metres of hose around the perimeter of the building.

Upon dragging the hose around the perimeter of the building, Firefighters were able to find a direct line to the fire through a wire mesh door. Crews began to extinguish the fire from outside the building whilst also attempting to gain access into the building.

Crews later forced entry into the building where they extinguished the fire completely. The cause of the fire is undetermined but it is believed to have originated from a wheelie bin containing numerous flammable & combustible items.

Crews have then remained on scene conducting hot spot checks and ventilation.

Wallsend Fire and Rescue would like to thank nearby residents who contacted Triple Zero (000) and Wallsend Fire Station to report the smoke in the vicinity.

If unreported the fire could of spread throughout the building where LPG, Argon, acetylene, propane, butane, etc is stored, resulting in a highly dangerous and volatile fire.