POLICE are treating a fire behind Beaurepaires in Byron Street as suspicious as they continue their investigations into the blaze, which saw a large pile of tyres on fire about 11.30pm on Friday.
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Captain Robert Whitton from Inverell Fire and Rescue was in charge of the two units that attended the fire, and said fire fighters were confronted with a number of burning tyres that bridged onto the back of the premises.
“It took us about an hour to bring the fire under control.
“We were there for probably four or five hours and breathing apparatus had to be used,” Captain Whitton said.
“They were extremely lucky that it never went through the inside of the business, otherwise there would have been a lot of structural damage.”
A spokesman for Inverell police said a crime scene had been established and was examined by crime scene investigators and detectives.
At this stage of the investigation the cause of the fire remains undetermined, however, police suspect it was deliberately lit, and have called for public assistance with their investigation.
If anyone has any information that could assist police they are asked to call Inverell Police on 6722 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers or police.
