Firefighters working in local communities to prevent more residential fires

We're only two thirds of the way through winter, but firefighters say this season is shaping up to be a bad one for home fires. With at least 30 known deaths in residential fires already this year, firefighters are getting work in their local communities in a desperate bid to prevent more.

Lakemba fire station crew safety visit in Sydney. Source: Lakemba fire station

There have been more than 510 home fires in New South Wales so far this year, as well as 13 deaths and 51 injuries.

Across the state, the number of home fires has actually decreased this year.

But in this cold and wet winter, the number of deaths and injuries from those fires have risen.

New South Wales Fire and Rescue Assistant Commissioner of Community Safety - Trent Curtin says his team wants to make sure there are no more fatalities this year, but getting the message across can be difficult.

It's not a problem limited to New South Wales.

There have been more than 1000 home fires around the country this year.

Victoria has had 10 deaths in home fires, Western Australia has had five, and South Australia and Tasmania have had one each.

 

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