Pearl Beach fire prompts call to check gas cylinders
A house fire in Pearl Beach in the early hours Wednesday, November 16, was attended by 10 fire brigades, as well as NSW Ambulance and NSW Police.
The Pearl Beach Brigade received a callout for the fire in Beryl Boulevard just before 1am.
The brigade arrived to find the structure fully alight, with three LPG tanks venting flame, and bush alight at the rear.
Other brigades arriving a short time later were Patonga Volunteer Rural Bush Fire Brigade, The Bays Rural Fire Brigade, Kariong Rural Fire Brigade, Empire Bay-Bensville Rural Fire, Narara Rural Fire Brigade, Copacabana Rural Fire Brigade, Gosford RFS Catering Unit, Fire and Rescue NSW Station 340 Umina, Fire and Rescue NSW Station 341 Kariong, and Fire and Rescue NSW Station 228 Berkeley Vale.
The Umina brigade reported the work included defensively protecting the neighbouring houses on both sides.
Specialist hazmat crews from Fire and Rescue NSW Berkley Vale were called due to exposed asbestos and subsequently a hot zone and decontamination area was initiated.
The Umina brigade praised the co-operation of the Rural Fire Service brigades, which "did a great job on stopping the fire spread and the situation from worsening".
It reported that NSW Ambulance and NSW Police saw no injuries and the fire was fully extinguished before 4am.
The Pearl Beach brigade stated in a social media post: "Luckily, the weather conditions were favourable and allowed firefighters to contain the fire to a single structure.
"If the weather had been warmer, drier or windier, the situation could have been much worse."
The fire prompted the brigade to call on Pearl Beach residents to check that the pressure relief valves on their gas cylinders were pointed away from their houses.
"Modern LPG tanks have a special pressure relief valve built into the tap at the top of the tank.
"While the normal outlet is controlled by the tap, these pressure relief valves open automatically when the pressure inside the tank exceeds the design threshold.
"When the pressure relief valve opens, flammable gas is ejected from the tank.
"In the presence of fire, that gas will burn, producing a large jet of flame shooting sideways from the valve.
"Anything flammable in the way of that jet of flame may catch fire.
"This is why LPG tanks should be positioned so that the pressure relief valves point away from your house or other structures, and why you should ensure that they are not blocked or covered in anyway.
"If a pressure relief valve is blocked, or if tanks are stored in an enclosed area, there is a potential for explosions.
"Even in the open, if combustible materials are stored near the possible jet produced by a relief valve, it may cause a fire affecting the structure to grow more intense more quickly.
"If your home uses bottled LPG gas, take a moment to look at your valves.
"Check they are clear of any obstructions, and are not pointed at your home.
"If you have any concerns about the condition or position of your gas tanks, contact your gas supplier or a gas fitter."
SOURCE:
Social media, 16 Nov 2022
NSW RFS Pearl Beach