Saved by the bell

By Jim Mynard
BERWICK Fire Brigade captain Alan Boyd has credited a smoke alarm with saving lives of people in a Thirlmere Court house at Berwick.
Captain Boyd said the fire broke out in the lounge about 1.25am yesterday and gutted the home.
He said the occupants woke to find curtains in the lounge of the house well alight.
“Attempts were made to put the fire out, but with no success. The fire took hold and the family rang 000 before leaving the building,” he said.
CFA crews from Berwick and Narre Warren found the front living area of the brick veneer house well alight.
Hose lines were run out and crews equipped with breathing apparatus battled the thick smoke and flames to stop the fire from 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.
Two people who lived in the house were later treated by ambulance officers for the effects of smoke inhalation.
One firefighter was also checked at Casey Hospital after exhibiting signs of smoke inhalation.
Fire crews spent several hours ensuring all hot spots were extinguished and CFA fire investigators later examined the scene.
Captain Boyd said the fire was accidental, but officers believed that had the house not been fitted with a working smoke detector then lives may 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.
“This is a classic example of where smoke detectors which are properly fitted and in working order, have been proven to save lives.
The CFA urges everyone to ensure that they have a properly working smoke detector in their home,” he said.