01/02/11 - Heatwave = 13 bushfires, 7 residential fires
Published: 1st February 2011
Today, the NSWFB processed 1,334 reports of incidents across the state. Today was a day of Total Fire Ban in many areas including Sydney Metropolitan area. Highlights include:Under heatwave conditions, Fire and Rescue NSW responded numerous fire crews to 13 separate outbreaks of fire in grass and bush areas.
This afternoon the largest outbreak occurred within the Lane Cove National Park in an area surrounded by hundreds of residential and industrial properties. Delhi road was closed to all traffic for several hours and well into the peak hour traffic period whilst Fire and Rescue NSW crews battled to protect houses, an industrial site and a large crematorium premises. During the evening Rural Fire Service (RFS) and National Parks and Wildlife Service crews assisted in fire fighting operations.
Community Fire Units were activated within the area and hundreds of residents stood ready to protect their properties as the fire burnt within 200 metres of numerous houses in an inaccessible area behind River Avenue and Quebec Rd. Backburning operations were commenced throughout the night in an attempt to contain the fire which continued to burn into the next day. Due to effective firefighting strategies no property losses or injuries were reported.
Fire and Rescue NSW also responded to smaller bush and grass fires at Mt Colah, Chatswood, Bennetts Green, Kurri Kurri (together with RFS), Weston, Belmont, Raymond Terrace, Sandgate, Manilla, Loxford, West Albury and South Nowra.
Fire crews responded to numerous house fire incidents at St Marys, Canley Vale, Windale, Terrigal, Lake Macquarie, Mittagong and a major house fire at Leura.
Crews extinguished a fire an in electrical substation at West Gosford.
A shop fire at Rockdale and a fire in a roof at a school in Blaxland were also extinguished today.
Together with Ambulance crews, firefighters rescued a walker with breathing difficulties from near the peak of Mt Kosciusko.
Today Fire Rescue crews attended 38 motor vehicle incidents including a serious collision between a truck and a 4WD vehicle at Branxton. Both vehicles ignited on impact, causing a small bush fire in the vicinity. The driver of the 4WD vehicle unfortunately died in the incident. Fire and rescue NSW and RFS crews attended and extinguished the fire.
There were several Hazmat incidents today including an incident at the Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick.
Firefighters also attended five incidents involving water leaks including large scale water flooding in a lift well of a building in George Street, Sydney which required the attendance of four fire crews.
Firefighters attended 13 gas leaks today and six incidents involving snakes in houses and a shop.