Tenants at the historic Byron Arcade building have complained about the response time from emergency services as well as the manner in which the blaze was dealt with.

A spokesman from Inverell Fire Brigade said their response time was satisfactory and that fire fighters did what they could to handle the fire.

But the residents are angry.

One tenant, Grant Oram, tried to extinguish the fire from the roof using the fire hose at about 1am on Sunday morning.

Police then told him he had to evacuate the premises.

He claims the fire could have been controlled at that stage.

“They didn’t even check inside at Legacy.

“I told them the fire was in Legacy and they told me to go away because I didn’t know what I was talking about,” Mr Oram said. “The place could still be there today but all they did was watch and then it got out of control.”

Mr Oram is not the only tenant who has been left with nothing.

Andrew Passlow had his door kicked in by police after other residents had tried to belt on it several times.

“Now I have nothing, not even photos of my children,” he said the following day.

These residents believe that the fire could’ve been extinguished earlier and possessions saved.

Keith Dillon and his young son Samuel tried to warn others in the building after the fire broke out.

He was not happy with the fire brigade’s response.

“I called triple 0 and was told that it had been reported but no one was there even then.

“It took an incredibly long time to set up, and get organised and they only squirted a bit of water in the aromatherapy business and then stopped,” Mr Dillon said.

“They took an incredibly long time.

“I must however commend the police who were exceptional and they did a great job protecting people.”

Station officer Guy Brisbourne of the Inverell Fire Brigade said they were satisfied with the response time and the efforts of the fire fighters.