At approximately 1825 on Sunday January 25, Berwick and Beaconsfield brigades were paged to a house fire in Gardiner Street, Berwick.
En route, VicFire advised that multiple calls were being received and that everyone was believed to be out of the structure. Based on this further information and the large amount of smoke visible; Incident Controller Lieutenant (Lt.) Sanderson from the Berwick Fire Brigade requested “make pumpers 2 and ambulance to be responded”.
On Berwick Pumper’s arrival on scene, a wordback was provided of a Structure Fire Not Yet Under Control and all oncoming vehicles to proceed code one. Police were also requested for traffic control.
After conducting an initial size up of the structure, it became evident that all persons were accounted for. With the house 80 per cent involved, Lt. Sanderson briefed crews donned in Breathing Apparatus to enter the structure and conduct an internal attack.
On entering the structure, initial crews found the second level of the house to be fully involved and access up the staircase to be quite difficult. With further resources arriving on scene, additional crews conducted protection of exposures within neighbouring properties as well as the front carport of the house.
The fire took approximately 30 firefighters and 40 minutes to bring under control. At the height of the fire there were multiple BA crews working inside the structure. BA crews conducted extinguishment, salvage and overhaul works with two Thermal Imaging Cameras in operation to locate hotspots within the property. With multiple BA crews working inside the structure throughout the course of the fire, Frankston BA were responded to refill BA cylinders for the appliances on scene. Furthermore, RDO 8 was notified of the incident in order to organise fire investigation to attend.
Incident Controller Sanderson said “Although the house was extensively damaged by fire, crews did a great job in limiting the spread of the fire and to salvage some of the occupant’s belongings.”
CFA units in attendance were:
Berwick Pumper, Berwick Tanker, Berwick Car, Berwick FCV, Beaconsfield Pumper-Tanker, Beaconsfield FCV, Hallam Pumper and Frankston BA Support.
Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police, Power Company and Gas Company also attended.
The Incident Controller was Lt. Sanderson and the Operations Officer was Lt. Obeth, both from the Berwick Fire Brigade.
Author: Craig Durdin