Junee home gutted in midnight blaze

A POLICE investigation is underway after a house was razed by fire in Junee overnight, triggering a major emergency response that jolted residents from their sleep.

Emergency services were alerted to a structure fire in Robert Street shortly after 12.30am, with crews arriving to find one half of a dual single-storey dwelling well alight.

A fleet of firefighting appliances was dispatched to help contain the blaze and stop it from spreading, including Fire and Rescue NSW’s aerial platform truck from Turvey Park and multiple NSW Rural Fire Service tankers.

Acting Superintendent Steve Brown from Fire and Rescue NSW told The Junee Bulletin it took crews almost an hour to bring the blaze under control, but not before the fire had ripped through the home, causing extensive damage.

“Firefighters remained on scene until 4.50am, ensuring the fire was fully extinguished, conducting salvage and overhaul, and investigating the cause,” Supt Brown said.

NSW Police and NSW Ambulance paramedics also attended, though no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with the scene now in the hands of NSW Police for further investigation.

A fleet of fire trucks were dispatched to fight the blaze shortly after 12.30am | © The Junee Bulletin

Police at the scene on Thursday morning | © The Junee Bulletin

It’s the second major house fire in the Riverina in 24 hours.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, firefighters were called to Burkes Street at The Rock, 30 kilometres southwest of Wagga, where they arrived to find a home fully engulfed in flames about 5am.

That property was completely destroyed.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued a reminder to residents to check their smoke alarms, ensure they are properly installed, and test them regularly.

Photo: The Rock Rural Fire Brigade

Photo: The Rock Rural Fire Brigade