A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) canine unit has been deployed to investigate a deadly house fire on Riddles Brush Road, Johns River. The tragic incident resulted in the death of a man in his 70s, after flames engulfed the home late last night. The blaze, which began around 10:30 pm, required nearly five hours to be brought under control, with eight FRNSW firefighters assisting four NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) crews.
Residential Fire
The intensity of the fire caused the roof of the house to collapse, restricting access to sections of the site. Upon gaining entry, firefighters discovered the body of the deceased. This marks the third fatal residential fire in New South Wales this winter, following recent tragedies in Orange and Ryde.
Fire Investigation and Safety Measures
Investigators from the FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU), employing an ignitable liquid detection dog, are meticulously examining the scene to determine the fire’s origin. Information gathered will be shared with NSW Police and the Coroner to aid in the investigation.
Both FRNSW and NSW RFS stress the importance of adhering to safety precautions to mitigate fire risks during the winter months. Households are advised to practice the following measures:
- Monitor cooking activities closely.
- Ensure all flammable materials are kept at least one meter away from heaters or fireplaces.
- Avoid using outdoor cooking appliances indoors.
- Regularly clean the lint filter in dryers before use.
- Keep candles away from curtains and never leave them unattended.
- Refrain from overloading power boards or outlets.
- Regularly clean chimneys and flues.
- Avoid smoking and using wheat bags in bed.
- If clothing catches fire, stop, drop, cover, and roll.
- After evacuating during a fire, do not re-enter the property.
Charging Safety for Electronics
Residents are also cautioned about safely charging electronic devices throughout the home. It is recommended to:
- Charge e-bikes, e-scooters, and power tools in a garage or shed, away from living areas.
- Avoid charging devices showing damage signs, like swelling or leaking.
- Use chargers that meet relevant standards and are compatible with the device.
- Do not leave devices powered by Lithium-ion batteries charging unattended or overnight.
- Avoid charging devices on soft surfaces or in bed.
- Purchase products from reputable brands, and avoid second-hand batteries of unknown origins.
The FRNSW and NSW RFS emphasize ensuring that smoke alarms are operational and that household members are aware of fire escape routes. If smoke alarms appear faded yellow, they have surpassed their 10-year service life and should be replaced, with regular checks on battery status also advised.
A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) canine unit is at the scene of a fatal house fire at Johns River, on the state's mid-coast.
A man, aged in his 70s, was killed in the blaze which engulfed the property on Riddles Brush Road just after 10:30 pm last night.
Eight FRNSW firefighters assisted four NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) crews in the almost five-hour-long battle to contain and extinguish the flames.
Residential fire
The fire was so intense that the entire roof collapsed, limiting firefighters' ability to access parts of the site
The fire was so intense that the entire roof collapsed, limiting firefighters' ability to access parts of the site. Firefighters later located the body of the man at the scene.
It is the third residential fire-related fatality in NSW this winter, following the deaths of two women in separate blazes at Orange, in the state's Central West, and Ryde, in Sydney's north-west, earlier this month.
The causes of both incidents are still undetermined. Experts from the FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU), using an ignitable liquid detection dog, are scouring the remnants of the Johns River home to establish how the fire started.
Safety measures
Information they uncover will be shared with NSW Police and the Coroner. FRNSW and the NSW RFS are urging everyone to prioritize safety measures that can keep them and their loved ones safe from the increased risks of fire this winter.
Households are encouraged to follow these tips:
- Keep looking when cooking
- Keep all flammable items at least 1 meter from the heater/fireplace
- Don’t use outdoor cooking equipment such as BBQs and gas/charcoal cookers inside
- Clean the lint filter in the dryer before use
- Keep candles away from curtains and don’t leave them unattended
- Don’t overload power boards or power points
- Ensure the flue and chimney are regularly cleaned
- Don’t smoke or use wheat bags in bed
- If the clothes catch fire, stop, drop, cover, and roll
- Once evacuated during a fire, don’t re-enter the property
Also, be cautious when charging various electronic devices around the home:
- Only charge e-bikes, e-scooters, and power tools in the garage or shed, away from living areas and exit doors.
- Never use or charge batteries or equipment showing signs of damage such as swelling, leaking, discoloration, or odors.
- Only use chargers that comply with relevant standards and have been supplied with, or deemed compatible with, the battery or device
- Never leave devices powered by Lithium-ion, like mobile phones, cordless vacuum cleaners, and power tool batteries, on charge for extended periods (e.g., overnight) and unattended. Switch off once fully charged.
- Don’t charge phones on the pillow or in bed. Only charge the devices on hard surfaces
- Buy products from reputable brands and suppliers. Avoid using second-hand batteries with an unknown history.
- Please assist friends, neighbors, and loved ones to ensure their smoke alarms are working and ensure they know how to escape a house fire.
If the smoke alarm is a faded yellow color, its 10-year life span is up and it needs replacing, and always ensure the alarm’s batteries are working.
