Police: Taxi driver assaulted at Lords Place taxi rank early Sunday morning

Central West Police District Sergeant Mick White said an intoxicated man was asked by the driver to leave his taxi at about 2am.

"Both got into an argument. He refused to get out. Security at the scene asked him to get out which he did," he said.

Sergeant White said the man was then alleged to have abused the driver before punching him once in the face.

He said the man, 24, from Orange, was arrested by police. He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man was released on conditional bail to appear in Orange Local Court on September 30.

Sergeant White said the driver was not seriously injured.

In an unrelated matter fire crews put out a blazing pile of rubbish, including tyres, at a Clergate Road property on Saturday night.

Orange Fire and Rescue senior firefighter Phil Pedley said crews were called after residents in north Orange began reporting "acrid smoke" blowing across from the fire at about 7pm.

He said two crews attended and then requested assistance from the Rural Fire Service.

Mr Pedley said a large pile of tyres, tree roots and other timber was on fire.

He said it took about two hours to extinguish the blaze.

Mr Pedley said it was illegal to burn such items within the Orange town area which includes the Clergate Road property.

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