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CFA urges household vigilance amid surge in garage fires

By Contributed

Jul 13, 2023

Grim reminder: Firefighters extinguished a blaze that destroyed a garage at a house. The CFA is warning Victorians not to be complacent. Photo by Monique Preston

Victorian fire services are urging residents to tidy up their garages and consider installing smoke alarms them following an increase in garage fires across the state.

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Many of these fires in the past year were caused by faulty electrical equipment or fuel spills.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan revealed that firefighters had already responded to 26 garage fires this year, compared to a total of 28 last year, and he expects a rise in rechargeable battery and car fires during the winter season.

Mr Heffernan stressed the need for smoke alarms to be installed in all areas containing electrical devices, as they pose a fire risk.

Fire Rescue commissioner Gavin Freeman has also emphasised the need for Victorians to check the condition of their electrical appliances in garages.

“Inspect the condition of your electrical items, and if you notice any damage, ensure they are repaired by a certified trades person,” he said.

Mr Freeman specifically cautioned against using chargers and cords not originally supplied with lithium-ion battery-powered devices such as e-scooters and e-bikes, as improper power delivery can cause damage or overheating leading to fires.

He also advised keeping garages clutter-free to minimise the spread of fires if an electrical item ignites.