Investigation launched after woman severely injured in bedroom fire - Miranda

Published: 19 May 2023 09:48am

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) extinguished a fire which severely injured a woman at Miranda, in Sydney's south, overnight.

Emergency services were called around 1am to a home on Montgomery Street, where they found a woman suffering burns after a small blaze in her bedroom.

It is understood the woman's partner had already moved her to a shower and began running water over the burns in an effort to reduce her pain.

FRNSW firefighters quickly doused the mattress and bedding which were still smoldering.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the woman before transporting her to hospital.

NSW Police detectives are now working to determine what caused the fire.

One possibility being strongly considered is whether the woman had been smoking near a supplemental oxygen cylinder, triggering an explosion.

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said open flames, such as a cigarette lighter or a lit cigarette, are dangerous in an oxygen-rich environment.

"While oxygen isn't flammable, a cigarette burns quicker and more intensely in a room containing supplemental oxygen, and can spark a catastrophic explosion," Supt Dewberry said.

"You should never smoke or run appliances with open flames in any room containing medical-grade oxygen."

"The woman's partner did the right thing by immediately applying water to the burn areas until emergency services arrived."

Updated: 19 May 2023 09:53am

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Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.

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Stations nearby

MIRANDA Fire Station

242 Port Hacking Road, Miranda NSW 2228

CRONULLA Fire Station

91 The Kingsway, Cronulla NSW 2230

SUTHERLAND Fire Station

2 Moore Street, Sutherland NSW 2232