Late last week (9 December) a working smoke alarm alerted a family of five in Churchill to a house fire in the early hours of the morning.
Around 3.24am CFA crews responded to a lounge room fire on Auchterlonie Court in Churchill, which was fully alight prior to firefighters arriving.
The house was destroyed as a result of the fire.
CFA Rostered Duty Officer Peter Lockwood said if one piece of equipment in your home is going to save your life it is your smoke alarm.
“You can’t smell smoke when you are sleeping – all your senses are reduced and without a smoke alarm there is a very good chance you will not wake up unlit it is too late,” he said.
“Smoke alarms save lives – and this morning is a great example of this. The family evacuated the house before firefighters arrived.”
The cause of the fire was investigated and was determined to have started by the kitchen oven.
Police were also required to attend for traffic control.
Trucks from Churchill, Hazelwood North, Morwell, Traralgon and Yinnar attended.
Author: CFA Media