A SPATE of deliberately lit fires in an abandoned industrial site have left police calling on the public for assistance.
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Firefighters were called to a former abattoir on Hill Street in Blayney at 6.30pm on Monday following reports of a fire.
Upon arrival, crews discovered an out-of-control blaze in an abandoned office building on the site.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Duty Commander Steve Evans said multiple crews of firefighters were called to the scene.
“We had crews from Bathurst, Blayney and the NSW Rural Fire Service attend,” he said.
“It took about 30 minutes to get the fire under control.”
This is the third blaze at the site this year, with an office building destroyed by fire on August 24 and another blaze on April 20.
Duty Commander Evans said the most recent blaze was now under police investigation and he has urged the community to report any trespassing on the site to police.
“If people could just be diligent and keep an eye on the Blayney abattoir for whoever is lighting these fires,” he said.
Chifley Police District Inspector David Abercrombie said buildings at the old abattoir site had suffered numerous incidents of malicious damage and fire since the site was closed down.
“It caused some damage but it’s hard to tell how much damaged because of previous damage by previous fires,” he said.
Inspector Abercrombie said the abandoned site had been an issue for a while and that the property’s owner was aware of the issues.
“I know that Blayney Council has been dealing with the owner and other entities to come to a solution,” he said.
Inspector Abercrombie has urged the public to report any cases of trespassing or damage caused to the site.
“If anyone has seen any suspicious persons hanging around the area please contact Blayney Police or Crime Stoppers,” he said.
Blayney Police can be contact on 6368 9599 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.