Fire and Rescue NSW issues gas safety warning after caravan fire - Soldiers Point
Published: 31 Jan 2024 03:54pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have determined a caravan fire at Soldiers Point, in Port Stephens, was sparked by a faulty gas refrigerator.
The mobile home was initially attached to a car, parked on a grass verge on Soldiers Point Road, when it ignited around 1:45pm today.
No one was inside at the time and no injuries occurred.
The owner, who lives nearby, was alerted to the emergency by a smoke alarm fitted to the caravan.
He immediately called Triple Zero (000) to alert fire crews, while also quickly detaching the caravan from the car.
FRNSW firefighters, assisted by NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers, contained and extinguished the fire in less than 45 minutes.
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said, “Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is an excellent fuel for heating, cooking and powering camping refrigerators, and is safe if used and maintained correctly.
"However, if stored or used incorrectly it can become extremely dangerous.
"Firefighters recommend that LPG equipment is inspected regularly, as fires are too often caused by a faulty or loose connection.
"It is pleasing to see a working smoke alarm was present inside this caravan.
"Fire crews remind all caravan owners that NSW legislation requires them to have at least one smoke alarm where the bed is inside the van, and one in the annex if people are sleeping there."
More safety information is available on the FRNSW website - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9225 [external link]
EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional photos from the Soldiers Point incident are available on the FRNSW website. Video footage can be downloaded here - https://vimeo.com/908096447/7233467030 [external link]
Updated: 31 Jan 2024 04:03pm
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.
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]
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