An observant passer by and a fast acting fire brigade managed to save Wee Waa’s Imperial Hotel early yesterday morning after an air conditioner on the third floor of the century old building caught fire.
Local crop duster Steve Wohling noticed the flames on his way to the post office on Wednesday morning and alerted the Fire Brigade at 5.45 am.
Within five minutes the Wee Waa Fire and Rescue team were on the scene.
Station Commander Bruce Cowan said it was lucky they were able to extinguish the fire so quickly.
“If that had been another 20 minutes, then it definitely would have been a totally different story in a building that old. It was very, very lucky that the gentleman was on his way to the post office,” he explained.
“We had the Wee Waa Rural Fire Service on the way, as well as a pump and full crew come from Narrabri, for back up in case we weren’t able to put it out.
“Most damage would have been caused by smoke and water, they could be looking at a couple of thousand dollars worth of damage.”
Owner of the Imperial Hotel Luke Noble, says he is still trying to establish whether the damage is superficial or structural.
He has had to close part of the hotel until it is ruled safe for the public.
“There was fire in the ceiling, we don’t know what damage has been done up there and the water has run from the top all the way to the bottom bar. I’ve had to shut off the side where the pool machines and poker machines are,” he said.
“It could be fine, it could just require a bit of cosmetic work but it could be structural damage as well, if the heat has affected the brickwork.
“I’ll need a letter from the insurance company and inspectors to say it’s safe before I let anyone back in there.”
Mr Noble applauded the Fire Brigade’s response.
