Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) says the escape of a family of four from a fire at Kellyville, in Sydney’s north-west, last night emphasises the need for every household to form a home evacuation plan.
FRNSW received a large number of Triple Zero (000) calls just after 7pm.
When six fire trucks and 24 firefighters arrived at the Craigmore Drive home, they found it well ablaze, with flames venting through the roof.
It took crews one hour to contain the fire and another to extinguish it.
The fire, which originated in the garage, was intensified when two vehicles caught alight.
Half the home was destroyed and partially collapsed, making it uninhabitable.
The family found its way to safety without injury.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
FRNSW Superintendent, Adam Dewberry, said the family’s near miss serves as a reminder to everyone to form a fire escape plan, especially as winter approaches.
“Now is the time to gather your household and discuss the best ways to evacuate in the event of a fire,” Supt Dewberry said.
“Determine the quickest and safest route to safety and identify a secondary exit in case the first is cut off by fire.
“Deadlocks are great for your home’s security but consider would they hamper your safe exit if a fire became uncontrollable?
“Ensure your home is fitted with at least one working smoke alarm on every level and ‘Be Fire Safe’ as winter approaches.”
FRNSW is urging the public to test their smoke alarms on June 1.
“It’s the second annual ‘Smoke Alarm Action Day’ when firefighters remind the community to test their alarms on the first day of winter,” Supt Dewberry said.
“If you don’t have an alarm, get one installed as soon as you can. A working smoke alarm can provide you and your loved ones with vital seconds to get out safely.
“If you have one fitted, press the ‘test’ button to make sure it works,” he added, “If it’s older than 10 years or it’s faded to a mustard-yellow colour, it’s beyond its use-by date and needs replacement.
“The good news is you can jump onto the FRNSW webpage and book a Home Fire Safety Visit.
“Firefighters will come to your home, carry out a fire assessment and provide you with crucial advice to prevent a fire.
“They’ll even install a smoke alarm free of charge, if you’re unable to do it yourself.”