COAL TOWER DESTROYED IN FIRE

Fire has destroyed an old coal tower overnight at Casino, in the state’s northern rivers district, causing disruptions to the Brisbane-Sydney rail corridor.

At least seven Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) appliances, supported by Rural Fire Service (RFS) units and a bulk water tanker, responded to the blaze at rail yards in Bent Street around 1.30am.

Flames quickly engulfed the heavy timber structure.

Fire crews established an exclusion zone and formed a defensive line of hose as the tower collapsed, leaving only its steel infrastructure intact.

The Brisbane-to-Sydney rail line was closed as a precaution as fre crews mopped up and extinguished spot fres at the scene.

The cause of the fre is under investigation.