Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is crediting a smoke alarm for saving the lives of two people as fire engulfed a townhouse at Auburn, in Sydney's west.
Around 20 firefighters and six fire trucks responded to the blaze, which broke out on Park Road, near York Street, just before 6 am. Flames consumed the upper level of the two-floor home, burning so intensely they caused the roof and walls to collapse.
Containing the fire
FRNSW crews battled for almost an hour to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading
A woman inside the home was alerted to the emergency by a working smoke alarm and was able to wake the other resident. They made it out safely, without injury.
FRNSW crews battled for almost an hour to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to four adjoining townhouses within the complex. The neighbors were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU)
The fire was extinguished by 7:30 am; however, crews remained on-scene for several hours to douse hotspots. The townhouse was destroyed by the blaze.
Experts from FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) are working to establish precisely where and how the fire started.
