UPDATE - Wednesday, June 26
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Firefighters working to contain yesterday's bitumen tank fire in Matthews Street, handed the site back to its owner around 8.45pm last night.
Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW reported yesterday they were at the scene in Parkes' industrial area at 9.10am.
They were called out again at 11.55am when the fire reignited and remained on site with other emergency services and firefighters from around the region into the night.
An exclusion zone had also been set up.
"On arrival crews found large flames and smoke," Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW's latest update read.
"Crews quickly got to work as best they [could] to contain the fire.
"This type of fire is complex and many more resources were needed."
Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters thanked their fellow responding firefighters from Forbes, Delroy and Dubbo and volunteers from the Parkes Headquaters Rural Fire Brigade.
They thanked the presence of Hazmat, the Gulgong rehabilitation van, NSW Ambulance and NSW Police for their help.
"Thanks also to the businesses who were prompt in evacuating," the post said.
"We are sorry for any inconvenience caused but safety is always our number one priority."
Crews left the scene about 8.45pm and handed the site back to the owner.
EARLIER - 6.20pm, Tuesday, June 25
A fire burning in a bitumen tank at a business premises in Parkes' industrial area could burn for some time, according to Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW Captain Craig Gibson.
Firefighters were called to Matthews Street this morning at 9.10am following reports of a fire in the bitumen tank.
After monitoring the situation and "handing the site back to the owner", the fire reignited.
Emergency services were later forced to set up an exclusion zone in the area.
In an update just after 2pm, Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters had been joined by firefighters from Forbes and the Rural Fire Service.
The use of Parkes Shire Council's water tankers were also called upon and police officers were only allowing water trucks involved in the fire to use the brick pit to collect water.
Mr Gibson said there isn't too much more firefighters can do, they have to let the fire burn itself out.
"We will be remaining on site for quite some time," Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW's update said.
"Please avoid the area if you can."
ALSO MAKING NEWS: