Gin fire contained
Published Date: 16 Jan 2013
Summary
Narromine News
A fire at a Trangie cotton gin continues to burn weeks after it first commenced.
The fire, which started by lightning at the Trangie Auscott Cotton Gin on December 23, 2012, continues to burn and smoulder through half a dozen large discarded cotton trash piles located at the rear of the gin.
Auscott Macquarie Valley general manager, Bill Tyrwhitt, said Auscott had been working with the RFS on containing the fire for three weeks now.
"It is burning amongst cotton trash that is very hard to extinguish, the best we can do is separate it and assist it to self extinguish," Mr Tyrwhitt said.
"The fire is located in a very clear area; there is up to 200m bare earth breaks around the piles and we are confident with adequate patrol by the gin staff that we can address any threat of escape," said Inspector Westwood.
Last week there was a meeting between Auscott management, RFS and Narromine Council mayor Bill McAnally who investigated the site to reassure the public that the best available measures were being taken.
"The amount of water required to fully extinguish this fire would be incredible, and would only lengthen the process of extinguishment," Inspector Westwood said.
