60 firefighters, using 12 appliances and supported by 2 bulk water carriers, implemented mainly defensive firefighting techniques, with the exception of an internal attack to retrieve the family pet turtle, which was soon re-united with the 4 occupants who had safely evacuated.
On Christmas Day, CFS crews responded to a structure fire at the CFS Regional Training Centre in the state's south-east. The structure in question, which was a "smoke house", was arranged internally to simulate a typical household environment and was used for breathing apparatus training. Regrettably, the structure was involved in fire upon the arrival of responding crews.
The incident involved a large timber business, more specifically a pallet factory, which was significantly involved in fire; initial containment was hampered by a combination of strong winds and exploding materials.
Upon arrival, we were met with fire making its way into the rear of the building, backed by strong winds, while the adjacent tyre yard was fully involved in fire. Our immediate focus was on protecting the nearby house exposure and then working to extinguish the rapidly escalating fire.
A massive fire fuelled by shredded tires and mattresses at a Cootamundra recycling plant kept firefighters busy for over 24 hours, with a 250t pile of rubber alight.
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.
Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted with a significant incident that had involved a substantial quantity of hand sanitiser and bulk ethanol alight, with a fire that was rapidly expanding in size and intensity, threatening nearby properties and exposures.
