Gungahlin Police Station Temporarily Closed Following Foyer Fire Incident
Emergency services were called to a northside police station in Canberra on Thursday afternoon after an individual entered the building and deliberately started a fire in the foyer. The incident prompted a swift response from firefighters and led to the temporary closure of the Gungahlin Police Station.
Timeline of the Emergency Response
According to an ACT Policing spokeswoman, the person walked into the police station at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday and ignited a fire within the foyer area. The individual then exited the building shortly after starting the blaze.
ACT Fire and Rescue were alerted and arrived at the scene promptly, extinguishing the fire a short time later. No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident, which is currently under investigation by police authorities.
Emergency Services Deployment and Ongoing Monitoring
An ACT Emergency Services Agency spokesman detailed the resources deployed to manage the situation. Three fire trucks and a specialised breathing apparatus crew were dispatched to the location to address the fire and ensure safety protocols were followed.
Firefighters remained on-site for atmospheric monitoring and to ventilate the building, with their presence confirmed until at least 7:30 PM on Thursday evening. This precautionary measure was taken to safeguard against any potential residual hazards from smoke or fumes.
Police Investigation and Community Reassurance
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. Police have indicated that they believe there is no continuing risk to the broader community following the incident.
The Gungahlin Police Station is expected to reopen soon, though it remains temporarily closed as cleanup and assessment procedures are completed. This disruption highlights the challenges faced by emergency services in responding to unexpected incidents within public facilities.
Such events underscore the importance of robust safety measures and rapid response capabilities in maintaining public security and infrastructure integrity across the ACT region.
