Spate of house fires prompts warning from Fire Chief
Published: 10th December 2013
Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters are urging NSW residents to remain vigilant when it comes to home fire safety after a spate of house and unit fires since Friday [6 December].
There have been nearly 45 residential fires since Friday, several where residents suffered smoke inhalation and one fatality.
This morning [10 December], a Ryde family, including four children, fled their home when a fire broke out. Two people were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. The house was severely damaged by the fire, which is believed to have started in the kitchen.
Yesterday, a man died when a fire broke out in his Greenacre unit while a house in Cowra was destroyed by fire.
On Sunday, two Whalan residents suffered smoke inhalation when a fire destroyed their home.
On Saturday, one person suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital after a fire destroyed their Wakeley home. A woman and two children were lucky to escape their burning home at Kogarah. They were taken to hospital for treatment and the house was badly damaged by fire.
FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said these fires served as a warning to residents to remain vigilant.
"While the cause of these recent fires may differ, we urge all residents not to be complacent about home fire safety even with the warmer weather," Commissioner Mullins said.
"Nearly a quarter of all residential fires occur during summer. People assume it will never happen to them. But I assure you it can. Don’t leave your home fire safety to chance. The most important thing you can do in your home is to have a working smoke alarm and a practised home escape plan."
To help identify potential risks in the home everybody is encouraged do a free FRNSW/GIO online home fire safety audit at www.homefiresafetyaudit.com.au