An alarming increase in the incidence of serious house fires, including two in Scone in the past two weeks, has prompted action from the NSW Fire and Rescue team.
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Local fire fighters have been out in force this week sharing information and advice to people in Kelly Street, Scone.
The Winter Fire Safety Campaign ‘Operation Cold Snap’ comes quickly after two major house fires in Scone, which NSW Fire and Rescue Scone captain Mark Frost says is well above the average for this area.
An interesting fact about the Boronia Street fire last Tuesday, July 21 is that the same house was seriously burnt in a fire in 1975 and sadly the occupant perished.
Fortunately the five people, three adults and two children, in the house last Tuesday were able to escape.
After being alerted by the smoke alarms, one of the occupants found a small fire on the southern wall of the property located in the lounge room towards the kitchen at about 6.50am and they were all able to vacate the building.
When Fire and Rescue teams from Scone and Aberdeen arrived just after 7am, the fire was already going through the roof of the house and it took an hour to contain.
The lounge room and kitchen were completely destroyed and the rest of the property was seriously damaged by fire, smoke and water.
Police and ambulance also attended the scene, as a number of family members were taken to Scott Memorial Hospital, Scone to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Newcastle Crime Scene attended the property and conducted an investigation.
According to Captain Frost the cause of the fire was a bean bag sitting up against a heater.
Capt Frost said these and other incidents across the state prompted the need to saturate the public with enough information to ensure their home is fire safe.
He said every day fire fighters attend home fires that could have been prevented with a few simple steps and precautions, and sadly, this includes fires where people have been killed or seriously injured.
“Already this year nine people have died as a result of a fire in their home in NSW and we don’t want to see this number increase.
“We recommend that householders have a practiced home escape plan, identify at least two ways out of each room and practice the plan with your family so everyone knows how to get out,” he said.
If a fire does break out, contact 000, or for more fire safety information, visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au
