Fire hero ‘was just being neighbourly’

By Callan Date
PHIL Beveridge claims he is no hero, but in the eyes of the family whose house he saved from burning down recently, he is exactly that.
The 46yearold former SES volunteer knew exactly what to do when he was alerted to a fire next door to his house in Pargeter Court, Pakenham, in late April and his emergency training kicked straight in.
The fire was caused by an electrical fault in a kitchen exhaust fan with the damage luckily confined to one area of the house due to the actions of Mr Beveridge.
“I wouldn’t call myself a hero at all. I just did what a good neighbour would do if they were put in the same situation,” Mr Beveridge said.
“One of the kids ran over to tell me that the roof had caught fire so I cut off the electricity and gas and then grabbed a hose and started to put out the flames.”
The Collett family said they couldn’t thank Mr Beveridge enough and wanted his honourable act to be recognised publicly.
“If it wasn’t for Phil we wouldn’t have a house and we are just so grateful for what he did to save our home,” Ms Collett said.
The Collett and Beveridge families have lived next door to each other for 13 years and have developed a solid neighbourly relationship throughout that time.
“He is just the greatest neighbour you could ask for and the whole family really love him and think the world of him,” Ms Collett said.
And in a warning to all residents, Pakenham CFA Captain Vince Ingram said that with winter now upon us it is vital for everyone to be aware of the fire dangers that are around most houses.
“Every winter we get called to homes that have been set alight by soot packed chimneys, flues filled with grease as well as birds nests and singed possums that are set alight in the roof space,” Mr Ingram said.
“To be safe, people really should have their flue or chimney cleaned once a year by a professional chimney sweep and we also recommend that the central heating system be checked.”
Mr Ingram added that clothes put out to dry near heaters were also a major fire danger and people should be on high alert throughout winter.
“Clothes draped around heaters are a serious fire risk and should be a minimum of two metres away from heaters and open fires. We also strongly advise people to turn all electrical appliances off before they go out or go to sleep and never leave the clothes dryer unattended,” he said.