WINTER has claimed two more lives in separate house fires, prompting Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) to issue an urgent reminder for residents to check smoke alarms and take extra care with heating appliances.
Two people, both believed to have been in their 70s, died in separate residential fires within five days of each other.
The deaths have brought the number of people killed in NSW structure fires to six this winter and 19 since the beginning of 2026.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the recent tragedies highlighted the increased risks during the colder months.
“These two deaths are a stark and tragic reminder about home fire dangers in winter,” Mr Dib said.
“We know that when temperatures drop, the risk of house fires increases as people use more electrical devices and heating appliances, raising the number of potential fire hazards.
“Take today as an opportunity to make sure you have working smoke alarms or to book in a free home fire safety visit with your local FRNSW crew.”
Firefighters have attended 480 residential fires across NSW this winter, with 2,025 recorded so far this year.
FRNSW is encouraging residents to take advantage of its free home fire safety visit program, where firefighters inspect or install smoke alarms and provide practical fire safety advice.
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said simple precautions could save lives.
“I encourage residents to utilise our free home fire safety visit program which will have firefighters visit your home to check your smoke alarms and provide fire safety advice to keep yourself and your family safe this winter,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
He also urged households to regularly test smoke alarms, avoid overloading power boards, keep flammable items at least one metre from heaters and never leave cooking unattended.
The warning follows another recent incident in Naremburn, where an electric blanket left switched on as a pet bed ignited after smouldering for several minutes.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it spread, with FRNSW reminding residents to inspect electric blankets for frayed wires, scorch marks or damaged controllers before every use and replace them if they show signs of wear.
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
