DOZENS of animals are lucky to be alive thanks to quick-thinking of passers-by, as an intense fire ripped through an historic train carriage belonging to a Wagga horse trader at the weekend.
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The alarm bell was raised by two employees of Chris Wilson Horse Trading on Mill Street, North Wagga, where the fire broke out late Saturday afternoon.
Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Jeff Edwards said firefighters could see smoke from kilometres away at Turvey Park fire station as they took the call for help.
"The fire took hold very, very quickly," he said.
"As you can see, it's an 1800s carriage built of hard wood and timbers. Once that lights up, it's very intense."
The carriage was situated between a stable and kennels that housed five dogs, with the dogs belonging to a neighbour.
Singleton man Adam Saxton, 34, was driving with his brother when his attention turned to the Mill Street blaze.
"You do what you've got to do,"
- Adam Saxton
Mr Saxton, with his brother, entered the backyard of the home and saved all five dogs.
"Some of the dogs were alight," he said.
"The entire carriage was alight by the time we showed up. We wrapped some carpet or a cloth around us so we could get close.
"All of the dogs were OK after they were let out of their cage."
Mr Saxton and his brother were treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics at the scene.
"You do what you've got to do. Anyone would have done it," he said.
Firefighters believe the fire was started by a faulty generator sitting next to the carriage.
It was extinguished by four fire crews, including a unit from the NSW Rural Fire Service, which had its tanker parked between the fire and a stable housing frightened horses.
The owner of the property, Chris Wilson, who is well-known in the Wagga horsing community, said thousands of dollars worth of horses were in danger.
"We were lucky that the flames lit straight up and no one was hurt," he said.
"It was a huge shock; I was inside watching the TV and it was just chaos outside. We've lost a bit of gear but that's about it.
"It was a good outcome."
Mr Wilson said the vintage rail carriage was not of any value and he had been trying to give it away.
The women who raised the alarm, Jaime Plum and Bec Quinn, said they were heading to the pub for a beer after their ordeal.
"We think it will calm the nerves," Ms Plum said.
