Firefighters rescued four people from a five-level block of units in Manly this morning after reports of smoke billowing out from the ground-floor unit. Firies credit the working smoke alarms for saving lives.
This morning at 7.45am, Fire and Rescue NSW received multiple Triple Zero calls reporting a fire at the public housing apartments in Manly, on the corner of Cove Avenue and Stuart Street.
Six trucks and the on-duty inspector were on the scene within six minutes of the Triple Zero calls. They found large volumes of smoke coming out of a ground-floor unit.
The smoke was so thick that it impacted the fire evacuation stairs and trapped four residents on the floors above. Firefighters protected them inside their units as they fought to extinguish the fire.
The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes, and crews were then able to safely evacuate the residents.
NSW Ambulance treated two people for smoke inhalation, with one being transported to hospital for further observation and treatment for smoke inhalation.
NSW Police were also on the scene and report the fire may have been caused by a candle and is not treating the incident as suspicious.
Investigations are ongoing.
After the fire was extinguished, residents in the unaffected units were allowed to return.
“Crews advised that the smoke alarms were working in the building,” Acting Superintendent Kevin Smith said.
“For those people that were able to do so, it meant a safe evacuation away from the fire.
“Working smoke alarms helped to get people out of this building today.”
Firefighting operations have wrapped up, and crews are departing the scene.
