Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) News

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews will door-knock more than 200 homes at Lithgow in the state’s Central Tablelands this weekend, offering crucial fire safety advice to local residents. The move follows similar FRNSW home safety blitzes at Portland, Merriwa, and Warren in regional NSW. FRNSW crews FRNSW crews from the local district will seek to engage with locals, offering to test, install and/or replace smoke alarms where necessary, free of charge. Spring begins tomorrow and that gene...

Multiple Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews are battling a fire in a multi-storey building at Darlington, in inner Sydney. The blaze broke out around 8 a.m. inside a third-floor apartment on Abercrombie Street, near Ivy Street. The incident was quickly upgraded to a '3rd Alarm' level response, with FRNSW deploying more than 30 firefighters and 10 fire trucks to the scene. Fire crews immediately began attacking the flames, while conducting an initial search of the building. However, the...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have located a body inside a third-floor apartment destroyed by fire now at Darlington, in inner Sydney. More than 30 firefighters and 10 fire trucks were deployed to attack the '3rd Alarm' blaze in Abercrombie Street, near Ivy Street, around 8 am. Firefighting efforts and safety FRNSW crews initially entered the building, but were forced to withdraw when conditions became to dangerous FRNSW crews initially entered the building, but were forced to withdraw,...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have declared safe the scene of a hazardous materials emergency this morning at Woollahra, in Sydney's inner east. Around 9 am, workers, carrying out renovations at an apartment in Oxford Street, discovered a plastic bag, marked 'uranium' in a wall cavity. zero reading for radiation The workers were monitored by paramedics throughout the incident but displayed no signs Concerned about possible radiation contamination, they called Triple Zero (000), sparking...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators plan to further examine the scene of a fatal weekend fire at Punchbowl, in Sydney’s west, in a bid to determine the cause. The fire broke out on the top floor of the two-storey townhouse in Highclere Avenue around 10 pm on Saturday night (26 August). Three people were downstairs eating a meal when thick smoke began billowing through the home. NSW Ambulance paramedics A man and a woman made it safely outside while the third resident, a 54-ye...

Fire has destroyed an old coal tower overnight at Casino, in the state’s northern rivers district, causing disruptions to the Brisbane-Sydney rail corridor. At least seven Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) appliances, supported by Rural Fire Service (RFS) units and a bulk water tanker, responded to the blaze at rail yards in Bent Street around 1.30 am. Heavy timber structure Flames quickly engulfed the heavy timber structure. Fire crews established an exclusion zone and formed a defensiv...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have contained a major acid spill at a factory at Dubbo, in the state's central west. The incident occurred at the business in Purvis Lane around 5.30 in the morning.  Around 300 liters of acid spilt into machinery, sparking a small fire, which was quickly extinguished. Approximately 24 staff were evacuated without injury. process of decontaminating the premises Three fire trucks and a Hazardous Materials team responded to the location. 20 firefighters a...

Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters, specialising in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), have taken part in a major global exercise testing their preparedness to respond to a catastrophic earthquake. The Asia Pacific Earthquake Response Exercise (APERE), held in Brisbane this week, has involved a mock scenario in which a severe earthquake causes significant loss of life and collapsed buildings. Australia's preparedness for a disaster Experts have been evaluating Australia's preparedness for a disast...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and its emergency services partners have jolted thousands of teenagers into being smarter and safer drivers, staging confronting car crash simulations to press home the potential consequences of poor decisions behind the wheel. The realistic demonstrations have formed part of the three-day ‘bstreetsmart’ event, an initiative of the Trauma Service at Westmead Hospital, held at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney’s west. It is aimed at reducing the fatali...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews will visit all 785 homes in the central west township of Warren this weekend, offering residents crucial home fire safety advice and checking for working smoke alarms. Following a similar recent safety blitz at Merriwa in the Hunter Valley, crews are keen to ensure households in Warren are protected from fire and have current home safety escape plans. Firefighters from the district Firefighters from the district will offer to check, install, or replace smoke...

A team of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters from Wyong is about to embark on a grueling nine-day trek across the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease research. Wyong Captain, Jamie Loader, first raised the idea with his crew around 12 months ago as they considered ideas to replace the traditional “Climb for MND” charity event at Sydney Tower. Average life expectancy Every day in Australia, two people die from MND and another two are diag...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) advises an elderly man has died following a house fire at Cammeray, on Sydney's Lower North Shore. The blaze broke out inside a unit on the third floor of a Miller Street complex just before 5:30 pm on Saturday (12 August). FRNSW deployed more than 28 firefighters and seven fire trucks to the scene. NSW Ambulance paramedics Experts from FRNSW's FIRU conducted a detailed examination of the scene Fire crews forced their way inside the smoke-filled unit and rescued a...

Bourke Fire Station has significantly upgraded its fleet, with the arrival of a new, state-of-the-art Regional Pumper. The truck is one of 18 new firefighting appliances being deployed across NSW to help better protect communities during bushfires and other emergencies.   The multi-purpose vehicle is an Iveco 4 x 2, which is equipped with a 3000l/pm water pump, a compressed air foam system (CAFS), and a 2000-liter water tank. Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib, said that a new...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) specialist crews have rendered safe the scene of a hazardous materials incident now at Arncliffe in Sydney's south. FRNSW HAZMAT operators were called in to assist the Australian Border Force (ABF) during an operation in Kelsey Street around 8 am.  The specialist crews located low-level radioactive isotopes, commonly used in several industries, at the location. The material was found in suitable and effective containers, with no release of radiation. Evide...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have cut the side of a car away to free the driver of a vehicle that collided with a bus in the morning in Sydney's inner west. The incident occurred just before 8 am on Victoria Road, Drummoyne. After hitting the bus, the car ploughed into a bus shelter, injuring a pedestrian. All 15 passengers on the bus were escorted to safety. NSW Ambulance Paramedics The pedestrian was treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to the hospital. The dri...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators in Sydney's west have determined that materials left too close to a heater sparked a house fire, from which five people, including a newborn baby, narrowly escaped. More than a dozen firefighters responded to the blaze, which broke out in a bedroom within a granny flat on the property in Mala Street, Smithfield, just before 1:30 am. It took them more than 30 minutes to extinguish the flames. NSW Ambulance paramedics Two adults, from the flat, wer...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters are working to identify the cause of a blaze that has destroyed three boats at a marina at Church Point on Sydney's northern beaches. The fire broke out on board one of the vessels moored at the marina on McCarrs Point Road around 5 am. Flames spread from one boat to two others nearby. Crews managed to prevent the fire Crews managed to prevent the fire from spreading to at least 20 other vessel Six FRNSW trucks and 22 firefighters arrived at the...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have saved a house and two pet rabbits from a possible Lithium battery fire this afternoon in Sydney's west. The blaze broke out around 2.40 pm in the garage of the home in Solander Road, Kings Langley. Two occupants made it safely out of the two-floor house and alerted firefighters about their pet bunnies, still inside. Team of firefighters As other fire crews averted flames from spreading throughout the dwelling, a team of firefighters As other fire crews...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is using traditional cultural practices to reduce bushfire risk on the Far South Coast, an area devastated during the horrific ‘Black Summer’ crisis. The 2019-20 bushfire season was the state’s worst on record, with 26 people killed, nearly 2,500 homes destroyed, and more than five million hectares burnt-out. Hazard reduction efforts The site is home to a diverse range of native trees, plants, forest bird species, and insects During that period,...

Eight Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have been honoured for their bravery, dealing with a life-threatening siege at Broken Hill, in the state’s far west. On 29 May last year, crews from FRNSW stations, 238 Broken Hill and 239 Broken Hill South, assisted NSW Police during a reported stand-off at a local home. Possibly armed, a man was allegedly barricaded inside the house, reportedly with children, during a domestic violence incident. Received Unit Commendations Police wer...

A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew from the state's Central Coast is proving an unstoppable force in the firefighting championships, blitzing the latest major event to again claim the silverware. 'Wyong A' notched up an impressive 1,235 points - 313 more than its closest competitor - at the event held in Parkes, in the Central West, at the weekend. Experienced team The experienced team also placed first in the 'Urban Pump Collector and Ladder', 'Booster Valve and High Rise Bag', 'Urban Pumper...

A number of hazard reduction burns are scheduled for the Greater Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter Valley areas. Smoke from these burns is likely to settle across residential areas for the coming days due to light forecast winds. It is expected that smoke will start to clear on Saturday afternoon, with any remaining smoke clearing during Sunday. Smoke from bushfires and hazard reduction burning can affect some people more than others. Asthma Action Plan NSW Health reminds people that children,...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has called in a specialist aerial pumper to gain access to a fire in a garbage truck in Sydney's west now. FRNSW and other emergency services responded to numerous reports that a garbage truck was well alight on the intersection of Gipps St and the Great Western Highway in Claremont Meadows, just before midday. Quick action of firefighters The fire ignited in the cabin/engine area of the truck and spread quickly to the rubbish contained in the compactor. The q...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has rescued a cow, stuck up to its neck in thick mud, on a rural property in Sydney's west. The calf had wandered into the dam on Mamre Road, Kemps Creek, when it found itself unable to 'moo-ve' around 6 pm yesterday. A neighbor alerted the RSPCA, which requested the assistance of firefighters. Three FRNSW crews and the NSW Rural Fire Service responded, having to trudge more than 350 meters, with their heavy equipment and lighting in tow, to reach the animal. O...

Parkes is already famous for its role in the moon landing and its annual festival honouring the King of Rock and Roll – now the local Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew is hoping to bring home another coveted crown. The local brigade is among those hoping to be declared ‘Best in the West’ as the Regional Firefighter Championships return to the historic Central West town this weekend. FRNSW crews from Region South Fifteen FRNSW teams will be out to prove their mettle across 11...

Specialist Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have hit the slopes at Perisher Valley, in the Snowy Mountains, to test their preparedness for emergencies in difficult alpine terrain. FRNSW firefighters joined NSW Ambulance paramedics in a realistic training drill, in which they had to rescue an 'injured' skier from a dangerous icy slope. Over-snow firefighting appliance The over-snow firefighting appliance was used as an anchor at the top of the slope The over-snow firefighting appliance was u...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have now rescued several family pets from a house fire at Cambridge Park, in Sydney's west. More than 30 firefighters and eight fire trucks responded to the blaze, which broke out in the laundry of the Guildford Road property just after 1:30 pm. cause of the incident The residents managed to escape before the flames spread, while firefighters retrieved three pet dogs that had become trapped inside. The fire took more than an hour to extinguish. The cause of...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is carrying out a hazard reduction burn in the Southern Highlands now, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to reduce the fuel load ahead of summer. Heavy rains and flooding since the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20 have accelerated the growth of rural grasslands, particularly west of the Great Dividing Range. They have also limited the window available for firefighting hazard reduction operations ahead of the fire season. FRNSW safegu...

A smoke alarm has saved three men from an e-bike fire in their home at Guildford, in Sydney's west, this morning. When the alarm activated at 7 am, a man, aged in his 30s, woke to find his bike on fire, while it was charging in his bedroom at the Eve Street address. It appears the bike's Lithium battery pack overheated, caught fire, and burst open, spreading flames to nearby clothing and a bed. FRNSW crew They attacked the fire with a garden hose outside as a Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) continues to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Cumberland Council to investigate a chemical spillage at Girraween, in Sydney's West. Firefighters initially responded to the incident on Mandoon Road at 1:30 pm yesterday afternoon, with an industrial complex evacuated by firefighters who observed yellow vapor emitting from drains. FRNSW Hazmat technicians were able to detect toxic chlorine gas coming from an isolated area on the site. Hazmat fire...