PHOTOS: Toowoomba crews save house after blaze breaks out
A house east of Toowoomba was moments away from being completely destroyed after a fire broke out while the owners were out. SEE THE PHOTOS HERE
Toowoomba
Don't miss out on the headlines from Toowoomba. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A house east of Toowoomba could have been demolished by fire if it wasn’t for the quick thinking of neighbours, and some closed windows in the house.
It would have only taken one more open window for a house in Helidon to be fully involved and completely destroyed, Toowoomba fire station officer Mark Purcell said at the scene of a structure fire east of Toowoomba.
Emergency services bolted to a house on David Court at Helidon just after midday after residents on the street noticed smoke billowing from their neighbour’s house.
A Rural FireCom spokeswoman said initial reports indicated the fire had started on one side of the house, but had not spread to the remaining structure.
Mr Purcell said it was a water cooler that caught fire.
“On arrival there was smoke issuing from the home,” he said.
“We had one firefighter on scene and one police officer.”
The station officer said if one more window had been open in the house, the entire structure would have been fully involved.
“We’ve got extensive smoke damage to home, lucky that the home was all closed up so was unable to vent,” he said.
“If we had have had another open window it would have been a totally different story just because the people weren’t home.”
Mr Purcell emphasised the importance of maintaining fire safety at home, especially during winter.
More Coverage
We’re ready: Traction builds for Toowoomba’s $54m Olympic dream
The Garden City has primed itself to become part of a once-in-a-lifetime event, and The Chronicle, Toowoomba’s top leaders and stakeholders are pushing for an Olympic venue in seven years’ time.
Read more
Murder accused claims shotgun threat in bid for bail
The man accused of brutally murdering a Millmerran rugby league icon has claimed in court he was threatened with a gun.
Read more
Police release CCTV in public appeal for missing Queensland mum
New information has come to light surrounding the movements of a missing regional Queensland mother, who hasn’t been seen or heard from since February 2. Footage and update here.
Read more
Grim search for missing mum narrows to tiny town
Police are now focusing on a town of just 400 people amid “grave fears” for a missing mum, who lost contact with family just before her 29th birthday. LATEST.
Read more
Cheaper to help homeless than do nothing, report finds
The government would save half a million dollars per person, every decade, if it funded “supported’’ accommodation for the homeless a damning new report released says.
Read more
‘Sweeping views’: Work starts on luxury Toowoomba CBD units
Ground has been broken on a six-storey luxury residential tower on the edge of the Toowoomba CBD, which the developers promise will include features “never been offered before” in the Garden City.
Read more