Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) firefighters responded to a two-story house fire in Manns Road, Wilberforce, just before 3:00 a.m. on November 13, 2023.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the house well alight with fire across both floors. Initial arriving crews from Wilberforce, Freemans Reach Rural Fire Brigade, and FRNSW Station 081 made entry to the house in breathing apparatus (BA) in an attempt to prevent further spread; however, they were forced back due to the intensity of the fire.
Firefighters arrived to find a well-developed fire in a two-storey house. The lack of water in the area necessitated the use of RFS tankers to ferry water from a hydrant 4-5 kilometers away. Due to the risk of building collapse and limited water availability, crews were limited to basic defensive firefighting tactics.
FRNSW 081 Windsor
It took over 40 firefighters around 4 hours to gain the upper hand and bring the fire under control, with crews from Wilberforce and Kurrajong RFBs extinguishing the fire nearly 8 hours after the initial call.
While the house was destroyed, thankfully all of the occupants made it out without injury, and the quick actions of firefighters managed to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring homes.
Stations in attendance:
| NSW Rural Fire Service | Fire & Rescue NSW |
|---|---|
| NSW RFS – Wilberforce Brigade NSW RFS – Glossodia Brigade NSW RFS – Freemans Reach Rural Fire Brigade NSW RFS – Blaxland Ridge Rural Fire Brigade NSW RFS – Oakville Rural Fire Brigade NSW RFS – Hawkesbury Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade NSW RFS – Round Corner | FRNSW Station 081 Windsor FRNSW Station 082 Richmond |
