Teamwork shines as brigades bring explosion under control
CFA volunteer firefighters have battled a significant structure fire, after being called an explosion that rocked a property at Swan Reach over the weekend, and left one resident with serious burns.
Incident Controller and Johnsonville Fire Brigade Captain Chris Seymour said they received the call just after 9.15am on Saturday, with the property already well alight when crews first arrived.
“I jumped in my car and increased the number of appliances while I was on the way there as the shed and an adjoining granny flat-type structure were already fully involved, and there was a man who was quite badly burnt,” said Captain Seymour.
“We had one brigade member who is a former captain help the patient, while we worked on the fire.”
While the patient was taken to hospital with serious burns, crews managed to bring the fire under control before 10am.
“The occupant said he had been gluing carpet into a tinny in a shed. The fumes had really built up inside and something just set it off, which then fuelled the rest of the fire,” Captain Seymour said.
“We attacked it externally initially then started getting into Breathing Apparatus gear to really start getting into the firefight.
“We also had plenty of small explosions to deal with from fuel or small gas bottles and things as well.”
Captain Seymour said he was extremely proud of the way the local brigades worked together as a team.
“We ended up with five tankers and the Lakes Entrance pumper as well which was helpful as there was a hydrant about 2 kilometres away.
“It’s really heart-warming to see different members from three or four different tankers, helping another brigade roll up their hoses.”