The value of interconnected smoke alarms was demonstrated in Mt Martha recently, after residents were alerted to a fire in their upstairs kitchen, whilst they were downstairs.
The residents had only returned home minutes earlier when they were alerted to a fire caused by an unattended pot left on the stove, triggering the interconnected smoke alarms throughout the house.
The homeowner investigated upstairs, discovered the stovetop and nearby appliances on fire and promptly called Triple Zero (000).
Mt Martha Fire Brigade crews, supported by neighbouring brigades and FRV firefighters, quickly brought the fire under control and prevented it from spreading further through the home.
Incident Controller and Mt Martha Captain Brandon Crowder said the fire had the potential to cause significant damage.
“Our crews used thermal imaging cameras to identify where the fire had travelled into the roof space and were able to extinguish it before it spread any further,” Brandon said.
“The homeowner had used a fire extinguisher to reduce the size of the fire before evacuating, which also helped limit its spread.
“Thanks to the quick response, damage was largely contained to the kitchen.
“Having a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen can make a real difference in the early stages of a fire, as long as it is safe to use.”
Brandon said the interconnected smoke alarms played a crucial role in alerting the residents before the fire could develop further.
“Thankfully the occupants were alerted immediately because alarms sounded throughout the entire house.
“Without that early warning, the fire could have continued burning unnoticed. The outcome could have been very different.
“We strongly recommend installing interconnected smoke alarms, so that if one alarm activates all alarms in the home go off. As was seen in this instance, they can provide invaluable time in the event of a fire.”
To learn more about interconnected smoke alarms and how to install them, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/fires-in-the-home/smoke-alarms.
