A heater that was too close to furniture has caused a house to go up in flames in Myall Street Dubbo. Dubbo Duty commander Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Anthony Hojel said firefighters were called to the blaze shortly after 9am on Monday morning. "Fire fighting crews from the Delroy and Dubbo stations were on scene within five minutes of receiving the call," he said. READ ALSO Dubbo's Qantas pilot academy bid still 'under consideration' "When crews arrived we found the front area of the house on fire. "Firefighters quickly got hoses out and started to extinguish the fire." Inspector Hojel said a female occupant was injured in the blaze. "Firefighters found one female occupant of the house with burns to her feet and suffering from minor smoke inhalation," he said. "An Ambulance crew treated her on the scene." READ ALSO Dubbo disability pensioner drunk at Anzac Day service Inspector Hojel said initial investigations have found the cause of the fire was an electric blow heater that was a bit too close to furniture. "We believe the heater caused the fire, but we will be doing further investigations," he said. "In this colder weather with people trying to keep themselves warm this is a good reminder for people to keep clothing and furniture and other items at least a metre from a heater, so they don't catch on fire. ALSO READ Beanies for Brain Cancer available at Dubbo IGA, Lowes "We see this as a common way for fires to start during winter. There is a fair bit of damage to the house, but due to the fast work of our crews we will be able to salvage a few things in the house." Inspector Hojel said firefighters could not confirm if the house was fitted with smoke alarms.
Inspector Hojel said initial investigations have found the cause of the fire was an electric blow heater that was a bit too close to furniture.
"We believe the heater caused the fire, but we will be doing further investigations," he said. "In this colder weather with people trying to keep themselves warm this is a good reminder for people to keep clothing and furniture and other items at least a metre from a heater, so they don't catch on fire.
"We see this as a common way for fires to start during winter. There is a fair bit of damage to the house, but due to the fast work of our crews we will be able to salvage a few things in the house."
Inspector Hojel said firefighters could not confirm if the house was fitted with smoke alarms.
Photos and Video: Heater causes fire at Myall Street house