Latest news with #FRNSW
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- News.com.au
An 85-year-old man has died after he was severely burned in a unit fire in Kingscliff, NSW
An elderly man who was caught in a fire at his retirement unit in NSW's far north has died. The 85-year-old was taken to hospital in a critical condition after his Kingscliff demountable home ignited on Monday morning. Firefighters responded to reports of an explosion at a Noble Lakeside Park unit, finding it alight upon their arrival. He was taken to Royal Brisbane Hospital with severe burns, but later died from his injuries. A report is set to be prepared for the coroner. An 83-year-old woman, reportedly the man's wife, was also hurt in the blaze, but was last reported to be in a stable condition at Tweed Valley Hospital. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and NSW Police are investigating whether the fire was caused by a faulty or leaking gas system. Photos from the scene show the scale of the blast, with debris strewn across the street. Firefighters managed to stop the fire from spreading to adjoining homes.
ABC News
25-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Montana's house was gutted by an accidental fire. Then her landlord accused her of starting it
Montana Adams is still piecing her life together more than a year after a fire gutted her house. The mother of eight was asleep at her rental home in Macquarie Fields in south-west Sydney on May 28, 2024, when her fire alarm rang out in the middle of the night. "It was the piercing sound of the smoke alarm, then once I opened my door, I smelt the smoke," she recalled. Ms Adams scrambled to collect all eight children, including two with disabilities, before they piled onto the street in just their pyjamas and watched the house go up in flames. The two-storey home was gutted by the inferno, with family possessions melted. A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) report determined the cause of the blaze was accidental and sparked by a power board in the living room. In the weeks following the incident, the family moved between various short-term accommodation homes while they found their bearings. "The kids just had their pyjamas, no shoes, nothing at all," Ms Adams said. There have been 158 house fires in NSW since the start of winter; three have been fatal. Ten days prior to the May 28 fire, a faulty air conditioning unit at the home suddenly caught alight in an unrelated incident. The blaze didn't cause any internal damage to the house, and FRNSW installed new smoke alarms after the home's alarms didn't sound. Ms Adams said she first contacted One Agency Macquarie Fields on December 6, 2023, asking for a handyman to investigate the house's air conditioning units after they appeared to trip the house's power and blow hot air. After the second fire on May 28, Ms Adams filed a claim through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) alleging the agency had failed its obligations by not following through with repairs. In her claim, Ms Adams said she requested the real estate agency undertake an inspection of the house's electricity supply after the first fire. The 46-year-old requested the maximum of $15,000 in compensation from the landlord for both economic and non-economic losses. NCAT found the agency was in breach of not repairing the air conditioning units but that Ms Adams had not suffered compensable loss as a result of the first fire. It determined the cause of the second fire was not a result of landlord inaction, and the landlord was not fined. "That was something I could not prove and therefore it was dismissed," Ms Adams said. A spokesperson for One Agency Macquarie Fields said the second fire was "caused through [Ms Adam's] own negligence". "After being confirmed by the experts that they [sic] claims are incorrect, they now knock on the media's door," the spokesperson said. In a follow-up email, the spokesperson said the matter had been resolved at tribunal. "Our property manager at the time presented the Fire & Rescue Incident Report, which confirmed that the fire originated from a failure of a power board and a charger plugged into it," the spokesperson said. On September 23, 2024, One Agency Macquarie Fields filed a counter NCAT claim requesting $15,000 in compensation from Ms Adams, accusing her of starting the second fire, despite the cause of the fire being deemed accidental by FRNSW. A report filed by the agency to NCAT stated the landlord did not have home insurance or tenant insurance for the property. The claim was dismissed by NCAT before it could go to hearing. Despite being equipped with documentation and fire reports, Ms Adams said she felt like the NCAT tribunal process was weighed in the power of real estate agencies and landlords. Leo Patterson-Ross from the Tenants Union NSW said tenants had few rights during house fires or natural disasters. Under the state's tenancy act, real estate agents are not required to offer temporary accommodation to tenants if neither party is deemed to be at fault. If the property is uninhabitable, the tenancy agreement is typically terminated — meaning tenants won't pay rent. If the property is habitable but requires repairs, tenants can request a rent reduction. "Often you won't get alternative accommodation paid for, but you can use that rent reduction to fund some other accommodation," Mr Patterson-Ross said. "There is really a lack of support for people, particularly for recovering goods after a fire ... often you are left with very little." A spokesperson for One Agency Macquarie Fields said Ms Adams was offered a six-bedroom house as an alternative rental but that "she was not interested in the offer". Mr Patterson-Ross said it was crucial to keep records of conversations with the real estate agency or landlord if you intend to pursue the matter through the tribunal system. "Document every conversation you have, so if you are having a phone call, write down what you understood that phone call to be and send that to the agent or landlord so they have a record if there's a dispute later on." Ms Adams still drives past the Macquarie Fields home, which remains intact but taped off from the public. The NSW government introduced tougher reforms to the rental system in May, aimed at improving stability for the state's 2.3 million renters. But Ms Adams is concerned the system is still unfairly weighted in favour of landlords, who have more resources to pursue tenants through the tribunal system. "Not only did I feel powerless going to NCAT, but I had lost everything," she said.
The Advertiser
13-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Phone charge cables, heaters pose huge risk for grey nomads
Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time." Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time." Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time." Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time."
The Guardian
13-06-2025
- The Guardian
Explosion in Sydney apartment blows out brick wall and damages adjoining units
Officials do not yet know how an explosion at an apartment block in western Sydney this morning that saw one person taken to hospital occurred, saying 'there is no fire'. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) responded to reports ust before 6.30am of the explosion at an apartment block in Lidcombe. There was an explosion in a unit on the second level of a three-story building that blew out a brick wall, damaged a car and caused damage to adjoining units in the structure, officials said. Firefighters found one person they described as 'unconscious or semiconscious' who was rescued, treated by paramedics and taken to an area hospital for treatment. 'They tell me that they'll be ok,' FRNSW superintendent Adam Dewberry said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Dewberry said there were no other reported injuries at this stage, and all people inside the unit had been accounted for. But there was 'significant damage' to the building, he said. 'There are some pets left in the building,' he said. 'A number of … people will be displaced and will not be able to go back into their accommodation due to the damage to the structure.' 'We are not sure at this stage how this explosion has occurred,' Dewberry added. 'There is no fire.' Specialist FRNSW experts on scene on Friday morning were monitoring the building's stability with lasers, and a recovery operation had commenced. More details soon …
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- News.com.au
Explosion shatters residential building at Lidcombe in Sydney's west
Two people have been rushed to hospital after an explosion at a residential building in Sydney's west. Emergency services swarmed the property on Clarence St in Lidcombe shortly after 6.30am on Friday, following reports of a loud blast at the building. A NSW Ambulance spokesman said crews had been on scene since just before 7am, with two people taken to hospital. A man in his 40s was transported to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition with burns to his hands and face. That occupant is believed to have been found unconscious by firefighters and carried from the building. A second man, aged in his 60s, was taken to Auburn Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. All other residents of the complex are believed to be accounted for. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Superintendent Adam Dewberry told reporters efforts would soon begin to recover pets and essential items including medication from the building. Ten people self-evacuated from the unit block following the explosion. At least four other unit blocks have been cleared as a precaution. FRNSW are leading the response to the incident and are currently searching the building to make sure that all residents are accounted for. A spokesperson for FRNSW confirmed that the explosion occurred in a unit on the second floor of the three-storey complex. The double-brick wall of that unit and the adjoining unit was blown out. Images from the scene show a car crushed with its back window shattered from the falling bricks. Gas and power have been turned off at the scene to minimise any risk of further damage, and there is no fire currently at the scene. Emergency services are not yet aware of what caused the explosion. Specialist rescue operators are on the scene.
