By CASEY NEILL
A NOBLE Park North family was lucky to escape from their burning home in Jacksons Road on Monday night.
The blaze destroyed the home hot on the heels of a CFA warning that nine house fires in Greater Dandenong during June could have been prevented.
A passer-by saw smoke billowing from the property about midnight and ran inside to alert the residents.
Four CFA trucks from Dandenong and Springvale attended and the fire was brought under control by 12.25am.
Four people were home at the time and two were transported to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
Fire investigators are yet to determine what caused the blaze.
The CFA warned that kitchen cook-ups were the main cause of preventable house fires in Victoria.
There were 50 in Greater Dandenong between 1 January and 30 June, causing about $1.1 million damage – including nine during the first month of winter.
CFA community safety manager Jude Kennedy said simple steps could prevent fire in a home, like always keeping an eye on the cooking and keeping at least one metre of clear space around heaters and open fires.
“Prevent fire in your home by checking your electrical appliances for visibly broken or worn wiring and making sure your smoke alarm is working,” he said.
“Compared to last winter, there has been a slight drop in the number residential fires across the state.
“But every fire that does occur is at best a financial loss and at worst a tragedy.”
For more information or to download a home fire safety checklist visit www.homefiresafety.com.au.
