Police in Newcastle have issued a fresh public appeal for information following a suspicious fire that damaged a gym in the suburb of Wickham last week. Authorities have released closed-circuit television footage showing two men and a light-coloured vehicle seen in the vicinity around the time of the blaze, which they believe could be crucial to their ongoing investigation.
Emergency Response to Albert Street Incident
Emergency services were called to the Air Locker gym on Albert Street in Wickham shortly after midnight on Friday, January 23, 2026, following reports of smoke emanating from the building. Fire and Rescue NSW crews attended the scene and discovered a fire actively burning on the ground floor of the premises.
Approximately thirty firefighters and six fire trucks were deployed to combat the blaze. Firefighters worked diligently to contain the fire within one hour, and after two hours of effort, the flames were fully extinguished. However, the ground floor of the gym sustained significant smoke and water damage as a result of the incident.
Crime Scene Established and Investigation Launched
Officers from the Newcastle City Police District attended the location and established a formal crime scene, which was subsequently subjected to a thorough forensic examination. Newcastle detectives have now commenced inquiries into the incident under the banner of Strike Force Halesworth.
Police have confirmed that the fire is being treated as suspicious. Investigators are exploring the possibility that this event could be related to another similar incident that occurred on the night of January 20, though specific details about that earlier event have not been disclosed publicly at this stage.
CCTV Footage and Public Appeal
As part of their continuing investigation, law enforcement officials have released CCTV footage captured in the area around the time of the fire. The footage depicts two men and a small, light-coloured vehicle that police believe may hold vital information regarding the incident.
The first male is described as being of medium height and medium build. He was reportedly wearing long pants, a hooded jumper, and joggers at the time.
The second male is described as having a medium to thin build. He was seen wearing long pants, a hooded jumper, socks, and slides.
Police are urging members of the public to come forward if they witnessed any suspicious activity in the Wickham area around the time of the fire or if they possess any dashcam footage that might assist the investigation. Authorities are particularly interested in information regarding the two individuals and the vehicle shown in the released footage.
How to Provide Information
Anyone with information about this incident or the individuals involved is strongly encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously. The dedicated hotline for reporting is 1800 333 000. Information can also be submitted through the official Crime Stoppers website. All tips provided will be treated with strict confidentiality as detectives work to determine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible.
