Aug 27, 2022 | Curl Curl ward, Public Safety
An elderly woman has had a close call after her unit caught fire at Dee Why.
Just before 9.00pm last night (Friday, 26 August) multiple calls were made to Triple Zero reporting a unit was on fire on the third level of a four-storey apartment building at Kingsway, Dee Why.
As firefighters from Dee Why and Narrabeen Stations arrived on scene, they could see visible flames from the street, and immediately escalated the call to a second alarm fire, requesting additional Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) units, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance.
In response, firefighters from Mona Vale, Manly and Forestville Stations were dispatched to the scene, along with the Duty Commander for the northern region of FRNSW. Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command established an exclusion zone, closing the road and managing traffic.
Power to the unit was switched off and firefighters in breathing apparatus quickly connected hose lines to a nearby street hydrant, and moved into the building to conduct a search for occupants and attack the source of the fire.
They located the resident of the unit that was on fire, a 94-year-old woman, and escorted her out of the building, providing her with initial first aid. They also searched the other units in the building complex, evacuating those who had not already left the building outside onto the street, where it was raining steadily.
Fire ignition reportedly occurred in a lounge in the living room of the unit, quickly taking hold, growing in intensity and spreading outdoors to the balcony. Using a hydrant-fed hose, firefighters were able to apply large amounts of water to the seat of the blaze and gain fire control shortly before 9.30pm.
The elderly resident was assessed by a special operations paramedic, who had arrived on scene. It was determined that she had suffered mild smoke inhalation, and despite some initial reservations from the elderly woman, she was convinced to be taken to hospital by road ambulance for further observation.
An ambulance officer remained on scene in attendance for firefighter welfare as they re-entered the premises to check for water damage and ensure structural integrity of the building, along with any dangerous materials that may have been exposed.
Firefighters also conducted investigations to ensure that all remnants of the fire had been extinguished and there had been no spread into adjoining apartments via wall or ceiling cavities. They used a high pressure fan to ventilate smoke from the building, to allow neighbours to safely return.
With a significant amount of water used to extinguish the fire, firefighters were also observed taking a water pump into the building, to assist with the removal of excess water from the premises. The unit directly below the one involved in the fire is understood to have sustained extensive water damage.
Firefighters remained into the early hours of this morning (Saturday, 27 August) to assist with remediation of the incident scene. No further injuries were reported.
Images: Luke Gavahan, Northern Beaches Advocate Video: Luke Gavahan
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