Wednesday January 19, 2022
$1
Volume 37 No. 01
inc. GST
The Cobar Weekly RAT tests are like hen’s teeth — very hard to find Pg 3
COVID care can be provided in Cobar Pg 4
Long arm of the law catches up with goat poacher Pg 6
Family home razed to ground by fire A family home that has served six generations of the Mitchell Family is no more after a devastating fire razed it to the ground in the early hours of January 10. Five of the large family of 15 were at home at the time of the blaze, which is believed to have been ignited by a citronella candle. All managed to escape (some with minor injuries) however most of their possessions and the family pet, a little terrier dog, were lost in the fire. Local emergency services responded to the 000 call for assistance just after 1am on Monday January 10 following the report of a house fire on the Mitchell’s property, Narwarre, 75km north east of Cobar on the Mulya Road. Among the responders were Rural Fire Service (RFS) members from the Cobar Headquarters, Louth and Kerrigundi rural fire brigades with the Kerrigungi responders the closest to the fire. A number of neighbouring property owners also attended to offer assistance. RFS District Officer Greg Martin reports by the time help had arrived, the home, which is 120 years old, was totally engulfed by flames. One of the family members, 27 year old Bec Mitchell, was home asleep at the time of the fire. Bec recalls being alerted to the fire at 1am by her 20 year old brother Joe who was awakened after hearing a popping sound from outside the house. “He immediately went to investigate and saw that the flames were originating from the outside toilet block which was attached to the house. “After attempting to put it out with the garden hose he realised the flames had cut the
power and water pressure to the house. “It was too late to try and combat it! “He then immediately ran to wake up everyone and get them out as fast as possible. “By the time I awoke and started running up the hallway to the front of the house, the flames had engulfed the whole northern side of the
house,” Bec said. After helping to get their family members out, including their 13 year old disabled brother Brendan, 15 year old Sammy took the quad bike to get help while Joe and Bec started moving equipment away from the house. Continued Page 18.
This was the scene that greeted Richard Mitchell when he drove home to the family property north of Cobar last Monday morning. A fire that is believed to have been started by a citronella candle, quickly took hold and engulfed the entire house. Richard’s wife, Linda, and four of his 13 children were at home sleeping at the time the fire broke out. They all escaped the blaze (some with minor injuries) however nearly all of their possessions and a family pet were lost in the fire. ▪ Photo contributed
Anni has all you need this
Lucky Dip has been relocated to Anni’s
Merchandise—hats, flags, stubby coolers & more Outdoor, camping & barbecue supplies Pool & water toys
ANNI’S ARTS & CRAFTS 59 Marshall St
COBAR NEWSAGENCY 15 Barton St