09/10/2026
For this we are taking you back to Ballina in 1982, to a significant fire which occurred at the Coastline Ford. dealership.
At 10:28pm on Friday 24 September 1982, Lismore Fire Control received an urgent call reporting flames at the Coastline Ford dealership in Ballina. Upon the arrival of Ballina Fire Brigade, the situation was already severe, with flames threatening to spread across adjoining businesses in the commercial strip. Even as the first attack lines went to work, firefighters recognised the scale of the blaze and called for further reinforcements. Alstonville Fire Brigade arrived 16 minutes later and were quickly positioned at the side and rear of the dealership. Their task was to establish strong water curtains and direct additional heavy lines at points where the fire risked breaking through into neighbouring premises. Working through thick smoke, falling debris and fierce radiant heat, the firefighters held their ground and kept the fire contained. At 11:40pm, reinforcements arrived from Goonellabah to bolster the attack, and just before midnight, the “stop” message was finally transmitted. Though damage was estimated at nearly $400,000 (approximately $1.8 million today), adjoining properties were thankfully spared.
📸 Coastline Ford fire, Ballina 24 September 1982. Firefighter hosing down burnt out vehicle [Museum of Fire Collection]
