Car fire at Wagga Memorial cemetery sparks running fuel fire

The first call about the incident was made at roughly 5.30am, with reports the car was "well alight".

One fire truck was used to put out the blaze, which was extinguished by 6.09am.

One firetruck was used to put out the blaze, which was extinguished by 6.09am.

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Fire and Rescue Riverina zone commander Superintendent Stewart Alexander described the incident as "disgraceful".

"Obviously it's not acceptable that someone's car has been set on fire and destroyed," he said.

"It's quite disrespectful to be causing any type of damage there (at a cemetery), let alone anywhere else."

The car fire sparked what's called a running fuel fire. Superintendent Alexander explained that this can occur when a fuel tank splits and spills fuel down a hill when the vehicle is parked on a slope, causing a line of fire that needs to be extinguished.

Superintendent Alexander said that NSW Police will "absolutely" be conducting an investigation into this incident, including who set the fire and whether or not it was a stolen vehicle.

He urges members of the public to call triple-zero immediately if they come across an unattended fire.

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