Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is urging NSW residents to check their smoke alarms following the death of a man after a fire broke out in his granny flat at Lurnea, in Sydney's south-west, last night.
FRNSW crews were called around 10:30 pm to Wonga Road, near West Street, after neighbors initially reported a gas leak. It was later established that a small blaze had occurred at the property. The occupant, a man in his sixties, was found unconscious inside the premises and could not be revived.
Experts from FRNSW's FIRU
NSW Police have established a crime scene at the home and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man's death.
They are being assisted by experts from FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) and one of the Ignitable Liquid Detection dogs.
Arrival of emergency services
FRNSW is reminding the public that all homes need to have smoke alarms fitted and operational
Investigators have determined that the fire started in a fridge in the kitchen and burned out before the arrival of emergency services. No smoke alarms have been located inside the flat.
In the wake of this incident, FRNSW is reminding the public that all homes are required to have smoke alarms fitted and operational.
Smoke alarms are an early warning
"Had the granny flat been fitted with a working smoke alarm, it is possible the tragic death of this man could have been avoided," said FRNSW Superintendent, Adam Dewberry.
He adds, "Smoke alarms provide early warning in the event of a fire and therefore increase your chances of survival. In the case of homes or buildings which are rented, it is the landlord's legal responsibility to install smoke alarms."
Minimum requirement
The minimum requirement is for one working smoking alarm to be installed on every level of the premises, be less than 10 years old, and checked at least once every 12 months by a suitably-qualified person.
At this stage, it's not yet known if the deceased man owned or was a tenant of the property.