Firefighters battle house fire in Northumberland Rd, Sunshine North
A family has escaped an early morning house fire unharmed despite the blaze starting in a bedroom.
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A family has escaped an early morning house fire unharmed despite the blaze starting in a bedroom.
Dozens of firefighters were called to the blaze in Sunshine North about 5.05am following a triple-0 call from a neighbour who woke up to flames and smoke.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said firefighters arrived at the Northumberland Rd scene in less than five minutes and found the rear section of the single dwelling covered in smoke and flames.
“Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire, which was under control within 55 minutes and contained the fire to the rear of the dwelling,” she said.
“Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria remain on scene to support firefighting activities.”
Specialist fire investigators determined an electric bar heater ignited the bedding in one of the rear bedrooms starting the blaze.
The family inside safely evacuated from the home before emergency services arrived.
Fire crews on the scene praised the role of functioning smoke detectors that “saved their lives” as three occupants escaped unscathed.
One of the occupants awoke to the alarm and alerted the others before they evacuated.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman urged people to never leave portable heaters and fireplaces unattended.
“Turn off heating devices before leaving home or going to sleep. Drying clothes and other items must be kept at least one metre away from all heating,” she said.
She also encouraged the public to have their gas heaters inspected and serviced every two years to ensure the safety of loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning or fire.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said no injuries were reported.
“No emergency treatment or transport was required,” she said.
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