Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have credited a working smoke alarm and the actions of a quick-thinking resident in preventing a weekend kitchen fire consuming a house in Mudgee, in the state’s Central West.
Firefighters responded to the blaze on Constantia Road, shortly after 2 pm yesterday afternoon. On arrival, they found a resident had already extinguished the oven fire.
Recent Home Fire Safety Visit
The sound of the smoke alarm first alerted the resident to the fire
The sound of the smoke alarm first alerted the resident to the fire, which they extinguished with a small extinguisher. The occupant told firefighters a recent Home Fire Safety Visit from FRNSW prompted them to purchase the fire extinguisher for their home.
Of the 5,500 homes in Mudgee, FRNSW firefighters have conducted safety visits in almost 3,000 of them. FRNSW Zone Commander, Superintendent Brett Jackson, attributes this safety visit advice with preventing a devastating outcome.
Fire safety and fire escape plans
"Events like this just go to show the importance of Home Fire Safety Visits," said Superintendent Brett Jackson, adding "Firefighters will come to your home and check your smoke alarm is working and if required, will install a new one free of charge."
He continues, "The crews discuss potential hazards, fire safety equipment, and offer personalized fire safety and fire escape plans. It’s a great opportunity for residents to ask local firefighters any questions they may have about fire safety."
Home Fire Safety Visit
Brett Jackson further states, "We encourage the placement of fire blankets in the kitchen to deal with stove flare-ups, for example. The Home Fire Safety Visit clearly paid off on this occasion, with the resident acting quickly and calmly to prevent a terrible outcome."
