A panel beating business on Verge Street was destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning.
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The fire threatened to spread to the neighbouring United Petrol Station but was contained by Fire and Rescue crews from Kempsey, Macksville and Port Macquarie.
The employees inside the panel beating business at the time of the fire escaped unharmed but the building has been destroyed, along with a number of vehicles that were undergoing repair.
Fire and Rescue Mid North Coast Inspector Tony Lenthall said because of the structural collapse of the building, firefighters were unable to investigate potential dangerous chemicals.
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“The roof collapse made the site dangerous for firefighters to enter the premises further. They rendered the site safe by using foam to prevent any re-ignition,” he said.
Once the site was deemed safe, it was handed back over to the owners of the business who are also working with SafeWork NSW.
Inspector Lenthall said the response from the Fire and Rescue crews was outstanding.
“There was a risk that the fire would spread to the nearby petrol station but the Fire and Rescue crews were on site quickly and worked well to get it under control.”
“The fire was spreading fast and the firefighters were working in an extreme situation, but everyone did an outstanding job.”
The cause of the blaze is now being investigated by the police.