Following a major fire which claimed two Chinderah holiday park homes and burnt two others on Wednesday night, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is appealing to the community to ensure working smoke alarms are fitted to all caravans and holiday accommodation.
And as a result of the fire, it has left residents homeless, with a GoFundME campaign established to help them recover.
FRNSW say, “More than 40 people, including elderly and vulnerable residents, were evacuated from a holiday park in Chinderah Bay Drive when a fire broke out in an onsite mobile home just before 8pm [last Wednesday night]”.
“The fire spread to four units, destroying two of them.
“FRNSW crews from Tweed Heads, Kingscliff and Banora Point were quickly on scene, along with a bulk water transfer unit, and extinguished the blaze.
“None of the residents were injured in the incident and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Check your bleeping smoke alarms
“FRNSW has been urging households to ‘Check your bleeping smoke alarms’ over winter, traditionally a peak period for residential fires”.
“Whether it’s a home, caravan or holiday accommodation, the same advice applies,” FRNSW Zone Commander, Superintendent Gary White, said,
“Residents should ensure they are protected by a working smoke alarm.”
“FRNSW data shows 45 per cent of the 3,884 homes that reported a major fire last year did not have a working smoke alarm.
“Caravans, campers and vacation homes also require smoke alarm protection.
“Legislation requires a working smoke alarm to be fitted to every home and caravan, and another placed in any annex used as a sleeping area,” Supt White added.
“Smoke alarms have a shelf life of 10 years, any device older than that should be replaced immediately,” Supt White said, “We also encourage people to regularly test their alarms to confirm they are working.”
FRNSW say crews can conduct home fire safety visits, including inspections of holiday, retirement and lifestyle villages, providing crucial advice and installing new smoke alarms free of charge.
The public is urged to visit the FRNSW website or their local fire station to book a visit – https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/
Smoke alarms with a strobe light and vibrating pad for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are also available for those that qualify through https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/
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