25/08/11 - Fatal house fire at Woodburn
Published: 25th August 2011
At two minutes past midnight on Thursday 25 August, FRNSW received reports of a house fire on the Pacific Highway at Woodburn.
Both FRNSW and RFS crews responded and upon arrival reported that a weatherboard house was fully involved.
Firefighters were advised that two people were unaccounted for however firefighting and search operations were hampered by a floor and roof collapse. There were additional concerns regarding a 45kg gas cylinder inside the house which required cooling. No-one could be located and the fire was under control and mopping up commenced at 2.02am.
It was determined that a thorough search for missing occupants would not proceed until daylight.
At 0712, FRNSW advised that one person was confirmed deceased and the second missing person was accounted for at another premises. A report regarding the circumstances of the fire has been prepared for the coroner.