A busy 48hrs in Melton

Just after midnight this morning (17^th April), Melton Fire Brigade were paged to a reported house fire in the Westlakes Estate in West Melton.

Vicfire was receiving numerous 000 calls, some saying they had heard explosions from the garage, with people yelling outside the house, and unknown if anyone was inside.

On arrival of Melton Pumper, Station Officer Kneeshaw gave a Wordback of “Not-Yet Under Control, house well alight,” with fire engulfing the garage, and extending into the kitchen and family areas of the structure.

As it was a brigade meeting night, and a number of members were still on station, support from a number of appliances was quickly utilised to make entry into the house to perform a primary search and locate the extent of fire.

Thankfully, after a thorough search, no one was found to be inside, a testament to a working smoke alarm that alerted the residents to make their escape. A puppy was rescued from the rear of the premises and kindly handed back to the owners.

Ambulance Victoria were requested due to one of the occupiers of the residence being overcome by smoke.

With the number of breathing apparatus being used, Ballarat City Brigade’s Protective Equipment Van was requested to refill cylinders back at the Melton Fire Station.

Appliances in attendance were;

Melton – Pumper, Tanker, Rescue, Pumper-Tanker, Car.

Ballarat City – PE Van.

Victoria Police.

Ambulance Victoria.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Victoria Police Arson Chemists and CFA Fire Investigators.

The OIC of this fire was Station Officer Craig Kneeshaw from Melton Fire Brigade.

Pictures by Blair Dellemijn - CFA Strategic Communications.