At 2.30pm on Wednesday, 29 November, Fire and Rescue NSW were called to a building fire at Coonabarabran Public School.

Fire and Rescue NSW were joined by crews from NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), along with Police and Ambulance crews who provided assistance at the incident.

Dean McKernan, captain of Fire and Rescue NSW Coonabarabran Station 264, said Pumper 264 arrived on the scene and the crew observed light smoke coming from the school’s canteen building.

“School staff were on scene to allow access to the building, which made Fire and Rescue’s job a lot easier and safer,” Mr McKernan said.

With low visibility, Mr McKernan said the decision was made to send in a team of two firefighters in breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.

“The power was switched off to make it safe for crew members to enter,” Mr McKernan said.

“Fire and Rescue found a small, smouldering fire inside the building, which they extinguished with little water.”

Upon extinguishing the fire, Mr McKernan said crews removed the burnt substance from the building and continued to douse it with water.

The building was then ventilated to clear the remaining smoke and once the scene was declared safe, it was handed over to the school to secure the premises.

On behalf of Fire and Rescue NSW Station 264, Mr McKernan extended his thanks to the Police, Ambulance, and RFS crews who assisted in the response to this incident.

Coonabarabran Public School principal, Lucy Evans said the school’s response to the fire in the canteen was very good, with all students and staff being evacuated quickly and safely.

“We were grateful to have the new multi-purpose court covered area to keep everyone out of the sun,” Mrs Evans said.

“The response from local emergency services was efficient and successful, and the school would like to thank them for their efforts.”

Mrs Evans said operations to repair the damages are already underway, with items and cabinetry being replaced so the canteen is ready for 2024.