MFB issues warning as Melbourne’s most dangerous house fire hot spots revealed

The suburbs worst hit by house fires have been revealed as MFB crews continue to battle an average of four blazes a day. And firefighters have issued a “simple” warning that could mean the difference between life and death.

New MFB data has revealed Melbourne’s house fire hot spots over the past year. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Melbourne is the metropolitan house fire hotspot, according to new data.

And first responders have urged homeowners to be more cautious when cooking, with almost half of the “preventable” blazes started in the kitchen and close to a third of emergencies caused by equipment such as stove tops and ovens.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade crews were called to a staggering 1451 blazes — an average of four per day — between June 2019 and last month.

The shock statistics show Melbourne was the most dangerous area with 173 blazes (11.9 per cent) followed by Moreland on 120 (8.3 per cent) and Port Phillip with 115 (7.9 per cent).

“Almost half (48.1 per cent) fires across the metropolitan district started in the kitchen, and nearly a third (32.7 per cent) were caused by cooking equipment.,” MFB acting deputy chief officer community resilience Adam Dalrymple told the Leader.

Darebin (99 fires) received the most calls behind Port Phillip, followed by Whitehorse (89) and Yarra (83).

Wyndham was the safest region with just two blazes, follow by the Yarra Ranges (6) and City of Kingston (23).

In April, an elderly Darebin couple was lucky to escape when fire ripped through their Reservoir kitchen.

An MFB spokeswoman said the pair, who suffered smoke inhalation, was “fortunate” to escape the flames as no smoke detector was installed at the property.

In February, two people were forced to run for their lives in Whitehorse when their Box Hill North home burst into flames.

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the several bedrooms at the front of the building within half an hour.

Last week, MFB members urged homeowners to take “simple actions” which could mean the difference between life and death.

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Mr Dalrymple told the Leader Melburnians should never leave cooking unattended and to turn off all appliances — including heaters and electric blankets — before going to bed.

“MFB firefighters attend thousands of preventable house fires each year,” he said.

“These simple actions will keep you safe and could mean the difference between life and death.”

HOUSE FIRES ACROSS LGA JUNE 2019 – MAY 2020

Banyule: 41 (2.8 per cent)

Bayside: 49 (3.4 per cent)

Boroondara: 63 (4.3 per cent)

Brimbank: 80 (5.5 per cent)

Darebin: 99 (6.8 per cent)

Glen Eira: 72 (5 per cent)

Hobsons Bay: 39 (2.7 per cent)

Hume: 30 (2.1 per cent)

Kingston: 23 (1.6 per cent)

Manningham: 27 (1.9 per cent)

Maribyrnong: 68 (4.7 per cent)

Maroondah: 53 (3.7 per cent)

Melbourne: 172 (11.9 per cent)

Monash: 81 (5.6 per cent)

Moonee Valley: 52 (3.6 per cent)

Moreland: 120 (8.3 per cent)

Port Phillip: 106 (7.3 per cent)

Stonnington: 60 (4.1 per cent)

Whitehorse: 89 (6.1 per cent)

Whittlesea: 36 (2.5 per cent)

Wyndham: 2 (0.1 per cent)

Yarra: 83: (5.7 per cent)

Yarra Ranges: 6 (0.4 per cent)