“We need more people like her.”
Those were the words of local businessman Cameron Remy when asked of his reaction to the death of firefighter Izabella Nash.
The Slacks Creek factory fire that stole Ms Nash’s life has also rocked the local community.
Mr Remy owns Remy Car Company, a dealership located only a few doors down from the blaze, and he lives close by.
He said he woke up at 4:30am on Tuesday morning to find the air outside replaced with smoke.
“I thought it was my neighbour’s fire pit,” Mr Remy said.
He then received a call from a mate who said his dealership, or a surrounding building, was on fire.
Pacific Highway Service Road was closed that day, and so were the factory’s neighbouring businesses.
But Remy Car Company was far enough away from the inferno to remain open.
“Obviously no one came in [to the store],” he said.
Mr Remy said he and his team went home early because they could barely breathe and were “stinking of smoke”.
Surrounding businesses were curious why the fire started in the first place.
It is suggested a generator was left on overnight and it somehow started the fire.
Neighbours said a power pole was knocked down a few days prior, on the Saturday (which was confirmed in the QFES statement).
“We came in on Monday and the fridge was rank because the power was off,” a woman said.
Neighbours also wanted to know who owned the property.
One neighbour said the factory, prior to the fire, was always full of furniture.
A police officer guarding the crime scene confirmed the factory was used as a storage space.
The factory, as well as a few surrounding businesses, was cordoned off by police tape and a temporary police beat.
A few locals, including Mr Remy, have placed flowers outside the property to mark their respect and appreciation for Ms Nash.
