Firefighters praise actions of young children during house fire - Muswellbrook
Published: 12 Aug 2022 12:58pm
Firefighters have praised the actions of two young brothers who have raised the alarm during a Hunter Valley house fire, protecting their parents and saving their home.
Around 6.30pm on Wednesday, a clothes dryer caught alight in the laundry of the home in Jeans Street, Muswellbrook.
Smoke alarms sounded but the boys' 29-year-old father was wearing earphones as he played video games and couldn't hear the alert.
The boys, aged just four and nine, followed the fire education advice they received at school by Fire and Rescue NSW and alerted their parents to the blaze.
The family then rushed to safety outside.
The father was able to open the laundry door and kick the burning dryer outside.
Fire crews from Muswellbrook and Aberdeen were quickly on the scene.
The father was treated for smoke inhalation and the children for minor exposure to the smoke that filled the house.
Firefighters ventilated the home using extraction fans and extinguished the smouldering dryer.
They have praised the quick-thinking of the boys who averted a disaster and saved their family's home.
Muswellbrook FRNSW Captain, Ian Boyle, said the boys were situationally aware as their fire education kicked in.
"They realised they needed to alert the adults about the fire breaking out and make their way to safety," Captain Boyle said.
"Without the intervention of those children, that fire would have spread and threatened the lives of everyone.
"These boys are to be congratulated for their actions, they listened to the FRNSW advice at school and have ultimately saved the day."
Whilst what caused the dryer to catch fire is still being determined, lint build-up in dryers is a common factor in house fires.
For expert assistance in safeguarding your home contact FRNSW to discuss booking a fire safety visit: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9316 [external link]
If you don’t have smoke alarms installed, the FRNSW crews can fit them for you, free of charge.
FRNSW advises the public to:
· Clean the lint filter from your clothes dryer after each use;
· Check and maintain smoke alarms once installed;
· Keep any drying clothes or anything flammable at least a metre from the heater;
· Clean and maintain any fireplaces;
· Do not use outdoor heating or cooking equipment inside your home;
· Check electric blankets are safe for use and never go to bed or leave home with your electric blanket on;
· Do not overheat wheat bags in the microwave;
· Do not overload power boards;
· Never leave cooking unattended;
· Always use candles under adult supervision and do not leave them unattended where possible;
· Ensure you have a ‘home fire escape plan” and practice it regularly with your family; and
· If a fire does occur, get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000).
This winter, keep you and your loved ones safe by using the Get Ready for Winter checklist
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:14pm
Related safety topics
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
Learn how to prevent fires from heaters and open fires.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
20 Moray St, Aberdeen NSW 2336
27-31 Market Street, Muswellbrook NSW 2333
106 Kingdon Street, Scone NSW 2337