A fire that started in a chimney in Happy Valley, Adelaide, has caused an estimated $250,000 in damages to two properties. This incident serves as a reminder about the importance of outdoor heater safety.
Sixteen firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after 8.30 pm and used angle grinders to access the rear of the properties on Tripoli Road, where the fire originated in a carport.
The fire, which started in a chimney in the corner of a rear pergola, quickly escalated.Â
“Embers … were flying over our fence, so I was out the back just watching making sure our property was going to be OK,” said neighbour Raymond.
Shiralee Lindner, a resident of one of the affected properties, was not home at the time.Â
“She just rang me when she was coming, like, ‘oh my god, my house is on fire’,” said her niece, Libby.Â
Shiralee expressed her gratitude towards neighbors who promptly informed her son about the fire, stating, “they rushed to our house, knocked on the door, so my son could quickly grab the dog and leave.”
Firefighters removed several animals from the homes, including a snake and birds, and a young infant was assessed by paramedics. Two cars were destroyed in the blaze.
The Metropolitan Fire Service said the blaze is a reminder to ensure there’s adequate ventilation when using outdoor heaters and to clean them once a year to prevent the build-up of flammable materials.
