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BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA
TOK PISIN
By Charles Rushforth
By Fiona Poole
ABC Coffs Coast
Topic:Fires
Emergency services were called to the scene just before 6am. (Supplied: Rachel Burns)
The Nambucca Leagues and Sports Club has been destroyed by fire.
More than 70 years' worth of history, including photographs and other memorabilia, have been lost.
Fire crews are expected to work through the day to extinguish the blaze and determine the cause.
A New South Wales Mid North Coast community is lamenting the loss of more than 70 years of history after a leagues club was destroyed by fire.
Emergency crews were called to Nambucca Leagues and Sports Club at Nambucca Heads at 5:50am today.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said there was little first responders could do to stop the destruction.
"When they arrived there was already large amounts of smoke and flame coming from the full length of the roof," he said.
"That made it a very challenging scene and very unlikely that we would be able to save the building.
"Very sad circumstances with the loss of this great community facility."
More than 30 firefighters were on the scene and faced hazards, including gas cylinders, as the building's roof collapsed.
FRNSW confirmed a person inside the building at the time managed to escape.
They are being treated for non-life threatening injuries at Coffs Harbour hospital.
It was too late to save the building when emergency crews arrived. (Supplied: Rebecca Burns)
Established in 1982, the club supported cricket, rugby league and soccer teams in the Nambucca region.
Peter Bellden, a director of rugby league club the Nambucca Roosters, said he was heartbroken.
"My vice-president sent me a message saying, 'Oh my god, the club is on fire,'" he said.
"There are photos in there that date back 70 years.
"Our club's history is in there — all the life members and premiership-winning teams, photos and memorabilia.
"It's all gone."
Firefighting resources including six trucks and a helicopter remain at the scene to extinguish pockets of flame that remain inaccessible due to the collapsed structure.
FRNSW said crews were expected to remain on scene for the duration of the day.
NSW Police and FRNSW inspectors will investigate the cause of the blaze once it is extinguished.
Mr Bellden said he was confident the Nambucca Heads community would help with recovery efforts, but the blaze had dealt a serious blow to sports teams in the region.
"It definitely feels like a part of our history is gone," he said.
"Part of us has been taken with this fire.
"We will bounce back and create new history, but it's a bitter pill to swallow right now."
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