Victoria’s fire services are calling on residents to prioritise fireplace, chimney and flue safety this winter, following a devastating house fire in Somerville.
The fire started after the occupant placed a log on an open fireplace before briefly leaving the property.
The log is believed to have rolled from the fireplace and ignited nearby material, with the fire quickly taking hold.
When firefighters arrived, the two-storey house was well alight.
Crews worked through the night to contain the blaze and protect neighbouring properties.
The home did not have working smoke alarms and contained a significant fuel load, which contributed to the intensity of the fire and made firefighting efforts more difficult.
Fireplace safety check list:
• Clean chimneys and flues every year
• Always place a metal screen in front of an open fire
• Keep clothing at least one metre away from fireplaces
• Never let a fire burn after you’ve gone to bed or left the house
• Ensure ashes are cold before discarding
• Never leave children unattended around fireplaces
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms and test them monthly
• Smoke alarms with a replaceable battery must have the battery replaced each year
• Smoke alarms fitted with a sealed 10-year long life battery do not need their battery replaced annually. However, every smoke alarm should be replaced at the end of its 10-year lifespan.
