Lieutenant Craig Sanderson of the Berwick CFA surveys the damage following a house fire in Berwick on Tuesday.
A SMOKE detector has been credited with saving the lives of two people when fire badly damaged a Berwick home on Tuesday.
The pair awoke about 1.25am on Tuesday to discover curtains in the lounge well alight.
Berwick Fire Brigade captain Alan Boyd said the pair tried to put out the fire, but it soon took hold. They then rang 000 before fleeing the Thirlmere Court home.
Capt Boyd said crews from Berwick and Narre Warren found the front living area of the brick veneer home well alight when they arrived.
“Hose lines were run out and crews equipped with breathing apparatus battled the thick smoke and flames to stop the fire spreading to the rear of the house. Their efforts were successful, although significant damage was done to the rear area by the heat and smoke,” Capt Boyd said.
The occupants of the house were later treated by ambulance officers for the effects of smoke inhalation.
One firefighter was taken to Casey Hospital in Berwick after exhibiting signs of smoke inhalation.
Capt Boyd said fire crews spent several hours ensuring all hot spots were extinguished. CFA fire investigators later examined the scene but the fire is not considered to be suspicious.
Capt Boyd said CFA officers believe that had the house not been fitted with a working smoke detector then lives might have been lost.
“Without the smoke detector’s alert it would have been very likely that the occupants may have succumbed to the effects of the toxic smoke and perished in the blaze,” he said.
“This is a classic example of where smoke detectors, properly fitted and in working order, have been proven to save lives.”
He urged people to ensure that they have a properly working smoke detector in their home.
