Fire investigators working to determine cause of fatal fire - Punchbowl
Published: 28 Aug 2023 11:00am
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators plan to further examine the scene of a fatal weekend fire at Punchbowl, in Sydney’s west, in a bid to determine the cause.
The fire broke out on the top floor of the two-storey townhouse in Highclere Avenue around 10pm on Saturday night (26 August).
Three people were downstairs eating a meal when thick smoke began billowing through the home.
A man and a woman made it safely outside while the third resident, a 54-year-old man, grabbed a fire extinguisher and rushed upstairs to douse the flames.
He was quickly overcome by smoke.
Emergency services, including around a dozen fire engines, rushed to the scene.
Firefighters carried the unconscious man from the building.
They joined NSW Ambulance paramedics in applying CPR but were unable to revive the man.
Whilst a number of damaged Lithium-Ion batteries were found in the ruins of the townhouse, fire investigators will seek to determine whether they were responsible for the blaze.
The upper level of the home was destroyed.
It's the eighth death due to residential fires in NSW this winter.
Updated: 28 Aug 2023 11:04am
Related safety topics
It's important that we all understand the risks of lithium-ion batteries and be prepared if things go wrong.
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]
Stations nearby
353 Liverpool Road, Bankstown NSW 2200
210 Haldon Street, Lakemba NSW 2195
136A Belmore Road, Riverwood NSW 2210