Faulty Christmas tree lights spark intense house fire - Leonay
Published: 03 Jan 2023 01:03pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators have determined that faulty Christmas tree lights sparked an intense New Year's Eve house fire at Leonay in Sydney's west.
No-one was inside the home when the fire broke out on the second level of the River Road house around 11.30pm on Saturday 31 December.
Eight FRNSW trucks, including an aerial appliance, supported by the Rural Fire Service, rushed to the blaze and firefighters attacked the flames from four sides.
They had just cleared the ground floor when the roof began collapsing.
The crews retreated and tried to get to the seat of the fire by climbing ladders to the second storey, avoiding an LPG cylinder ablaze on the balcony.
Timber flooring raised the intensity of the fire but crews gained the upper hand after an hour.
It took another five hours to extinguish the badly damaged home.
An electrical fault involving the family's Christmas tree has been identified as the cause.
Fire and Rescue NSW reminds the public never to leave Christmas tree lights on when you are not home or if you're asleep.
Media note: footage of the firefighting operation can be obtained here:
https://vimeo.com/785842140/99b7e7325f [external link]
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:13pm
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
If you do your bit to minimise the risks in your home, we can all stay safer together.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
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
2-6 Jeanette Street, Regentville NSW 2745
21 Wascoe Street, Glenbrook NSW 2773
290-294 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750