Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
The quick actions by Lilydale Fire Brigade members have saved a life during a recent house fire, after using forced entry through the front door to reach the resident.
On Monday evening (23 March), Lilydale Fire Brigade were paged to a chimney fire on Kidgell Street in Lilydale.
The fire was called in by a neighbour who heard a smoke alarm activating inside the house. On investigation, the neighbour noticed smoke and called Triple Zero.
Lilydale Fire Brigade members train on a Monday night, and coincidentally a truck and crew were travelling in the same street when the call was received.
Arriving within minutes, Lilydale Captain Warren Davis approached the house and felt the locked front door, which was hot.
While standing at the door he heard a call for help from inside the house. Warren kicked the front door in while the Breathing Apparatus crew performed a snatch and grab, saving the life of a male in his 40’s.
The patient was conscious and breathing and was transported to hospital by Ambulance Victoria, and crews contained the fire to the kitchen.
The cause remains unknown but is not being treated as suspicious.
Lilydale Captain Warren Davis praised the effort of the responding crews, describing it as an outstanding example of teamwork and rapid response.
“We were out heading to our next training spot, when we received a triple zero call,” Warren said.
“The call came in from the man’s neighbour who had heard an audible smoke alarm coming from a house in his street.
“If we didn’t get there as quick as we did, there’s a very good chance the man would have not made it out.”
Warren said the incident serves as a strong reminder about the importance of working smoke alarms and how powerful they are to alert others around you too.
“I know it’s something we always say, but working smoke alarms save lives,” Warren said.
“Without a working smoke alarm this incident could have had a very different outcome.”
| Submitted by | Sue Harley |
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