House Fire, Brighton-le-Sands
Published: 20th January 2006
At 6pm on 19 January 2006, the NSW Fire Brigades received several Triple Zero calls reporting a house on fire in Brighton-le-Sands. Crews from Rockdale and Kogarah were immediately dispatched. En-route the Rockdale crew observed large volumes of smoke in the vicinity and ordered more resources. Another two crews from Hurstville and Botany, a ladder truck and a rescue unit, were responded, making a total of 20 firefighters called to assist.
Upon their arrival firefighters found a single level brick home alight. The fire was threatening neighbouring houses. Everyone had left the affected houses.
As Police closed off the street, firefighters wearing air cylinders positioned hoses to protect the neighbouring houses from the intense radiant heat. The roof of the burning house collapsed during the early stages of the operation, threatening to spread the fire further. However fire crews consolidated their attack and within about 30 minutes they had the fire contained. Firefighters worked for another hour to fully extinguish the fire.
The house and its contents were extensively damaged by the fire but the crews were able to save the surrounding property. No one was reported injured. An ambulance stood by as a precaution.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the NSW Fire Brigades Fire Investigation and Research Unit in cooperation with the police.