A COUPLE had a lucky escape after their caravan was enveloped by flames and gutted in Nambucca Heads on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Around 11.30, residents in the Swimming Creek Caravan Park were alerted to a fire in the van.
Firefighters from Nambucca Heads and Macksville responded.
On arrival crews faced a caravan fully ablaze, and the fire was beginning to impact on two gas cylinders attached to the front of the van. The flames and radiant heat were also impacting on an adjacent weatherboard cabin.
Residents attempted to control the blaze with installed hose reels, and were having some success.
Firefighters with specialist breathing equipment to protect them from the thick acrid smoke deployed a number of hoses in an attempt to contain the blaze.
Nambucca Heads Fire and Rescue captain Robert Couchman said the incident served as a timely reminder of the potential hazards associated with caravans.
“It is essential that all caravans have a working smoke alarm,” Capt Couchman told the Guardian.
“Fires in caravans, due to the materials used in their construction, can become heavily engulfed in fire very rapidly.
“In situations like that seconds count and only a working smoke alarm can give you and your family that chance.”
The cause of Saturday’s fire is unknown.
“Unfortunately, due to the significant damage the caravan suffered during the fire, identifying the exact cause was impossible,” Capt Couchman said.
“The speed and ferocity of the fire meant that a significant amount of the caravan was unrecognisable.
“I must commend the residents on their quick thinking in deploying the installed fire protection, it significantly slowed down the blaze and assisted in preventing the fire spreading.”