Police were yesterday unable to confirm reports a suspicious fire that ravaged a Young furniture store and adjoining apartments on Saturday morning was the result of a botched break and enter.
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They said they were throwing all their resources into the investigation.
Cootamundra LAC acting crime manager Detective Sergeant Damian Nott said investigations were progressing.
“It’s being treated as a suspicious fire,” he said.
“There’s been some consultancy with other agencies both internally and externally to the police.”
Fire and Rescue NSW dispatched its Fire Investigation and Research Unit from Sydney to investigate the fire on Saturday.
It comes as police revealed Fuller’s Floor Coverings was the subject of a suspected break and enter the same morning.
Police said a small amount of cash was stolen from a safe sometime between 7pm Friday and 7.20am Saturday.
They said the store sustained some damage during the operation.
Young deputy fire captain Ryan Terry said the blaze was the worst he had seen during his time at the station.
“It was very difficult to access because of the smoke and age of the building,” he said.
Deputy captain Terry said emergency services had to think on their feet to contain the blaze.
“We actually used Facetime to show our inspector the fire in real time,” he said.
“I was able to walk around the whole building with him.
“It’s something that Fire and Rescue are going to look at implementing now…because we are so remote from everybody.
“Hopefully it can be rolled out, it worked very very well.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or Young Police on 6382 8199.
