Country Fire Authority brigades extinguished two house fires within five hours on Monday morning, one at Stawell and the other in Ararat.
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District 16 Operations Manager Bernie Fradd said Stawell fire fighters rushed to an Alfred Street home about 1am after the fire was called in as fully-engulfed.
“Luckily it wasn’t a total loss,” he said.
“The fire brigades responded fairly quickly and kept the blaze to the lounge room.”
Stawell, Halls Gap and Great Western brigades attended and put out the blaze at 1.53am.
A Ballarat protective equipment van also attended the scene to refill breathing apparatus cylinders for fire fighters.
A fire investigator attended the scene later on Monday morning, but was not being deemed as suspicious.
Three hours later district fire fighters were called out again to another house fire on Tuson Street in Ararat.
Mr Fradd said the property escaped serious damage.
“It was a shed fire and the shed was only a couple of feet away from the house,” he said.
“It spread onto the house, but it was put out quickly.”
Ararat, Great Western and Moyston fire brigades attended and extinguished the blaze at 4.53am.
A fire investigator attended the scene later on Monday morning, but was not being deemed as suspicious.
A fire fighter also suffered a sprained ankle while battling the blaze and was recovering.
Mr Fradd reminded the public to check their smoke detectors.
“It was a good thing the Stawell house had an active smoke alarm,” he said.
“Especially after daylight saving it is a good time to check them and make sure they are fully functioning.”
Mr Fradd also reminded people about being fire-conscious during the winter months.
“We are entering the colder weather now,” he said.
“It’s the small things to remember that can keep you safe.”
Blowing out candles, not keeping dry clothes next to heaters and other small things are important.”
- Bernie Fradd