Remains found after house fire

MARCH 30: Police at the scene where remains have been discovered after a fire on a Bilambil property.

Crystal Spencer

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CHARRED remains of what is believed to be a human body were found on a rural property at Bilambil.

Tweed Heads Police Inspector Darren Steel yesterday told the Tweed Daily News police were continuing their investigations into the circumstances of a house fire in Urliup Road early Friday morning.

“About 6.30am a home on a rural property was located well alight,” Insp Steel said.

“New South Wales Rural Fire Service attended the location but was unable to extinguish the blaze before the home was completely destroyed.

“During a subsequent examination of the scene by forensic police the remains of what are believed to be a human body were located.”

Insp Steel said the remains have been conveyed to Newcastle where a post-mortem examination was expected to be carried out yesterday.

Almost 12 months ago on May 5, a fire destroyed a farmhouse on the same property.

Property owner Doug Ogilvie yesterday said he was not living at the address but confirmed a shed, next to his former farmhouse, was occupied.

Mr Ogilvie, a regular Tweed Daily News letter writer, was tight-lipped about the latest fire, adding he had heard numerous rumours.

Far North Coast Rural Fire Service operations officer Bob Wilcox said two brigades, from Bilambil and Murwillumbah, with two trucks each, attended Friday’s blaze.

“The structure was fully involved when they arrived on scene and it took about two hours to cool it down,” Inspector Wilcox said.

Water was pumped from a nearby creek to extinguish the flames, Insp Wilcox said.

Insp Steel said several witnesses had been interviewed by detectives.

“However, any person who may have witnessed the fire or with information regarding it are asked to contact Tweed Heads Police on (07) 5536 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”