VICTORIA. — The CFA is warning Victorians to properly extinguish and dispose of hot materials after two separate fires in the state’s southeast earlier this month.
Both incidents occurred after smoking materials, hot coals or cooking equipment were left within the proximity of patio furniture, which subsequently ignited and spread to adjoining furniture inside homes.
The first incident occurred at a property in Berwick on Tuesday, September 8, when hot materials were left on outdoor furniture, causing outdoor furniture on the patio to catch alight and quickly spread the fire inside, causing significant damage.
A similar fire broke out at a Rye property the following day, with fire investigators believing hot materials left near patio furniture caused it to ignite and also spread to the house.
Rye 1st Lieutenant Incident Controller Lachlan Yanner said crews arrived to find the upper level of the two-storey home well alight with fire.
“Upon arrival crews quickly commenced an internal attack and successfully extinguished the fire,” Lachlan said.
“The fire was contained to one room, although the entire top floor sustained smoke damage and some windows were blown out.
“Thankfully, the occupants had evacuated the property before firefighters arrived and no injuries were reported.
“Working smoke alarms were also present in the property, which is exactly what we want to see.”
CFA District 8 Commander Ben McKie said the two incidents were a timely warning as Victorians begin spending more time outdoors as Spring brings in warmer weather.
“As the weather warms up, people need to be careful with any hot materials around outdoor furniture and other combustible items,” Ben said.
“Whether it’s smoking materials, hot coals or cooking equipment, make sure they are completely extinguished or cooled and kept well away from anything that can catch fire.
“Outdoor furniture and other combustible materials can ignite quickly, and a small fire can spread to a house before you realise what is happening.”
Hot material safety
- Completely extinguish cigarettes, cigars, hot coals and other hot materials before disposing of them.
- Allow cooking equipment to cool completely and keep it away from outdoor furniture and other combustible materials.
- Never place or discard hot materials on outdoor furniture, decking, garden beds or pot plants.
- Use sturdy, non-combustible containers for ash, coals and smoking materials, and ensure contents are completely cold before disposal.
- Never assume hot materials have cooled or gone out. Check them carefully before leaving.
- Install working smoke alarms in bedrooms, hallways and living areas.
- Test smoke alarms regularly.
