Woman flees home as bar heater catches alight

‘‘ ENSURE THAT ANY ITEMS THAT ARE USED FOR HEATING PURPOSES ... ARE ELECTRICALLY TESTED.

QFES INSPECTOR PETER BRADOW

AUTHORITIES are urging residents to ensure all winter heating appliances are electrically safe after a close-call in Harristown on Tuesday.

An electrical fault in a bar heater is believed to have sparked a fire which burned through a small section of carpet in the bedroom of an Arabian St home about 6.45pm.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Inspector Peter Bradow said a woman at the property fled the home and raised the alarm with neighbours who called 000.

QFES crews had the fire contained within minutes of arrival, Inspector Bradow said.

A metre square section of the carpet in the bedroom was destroyed by the fire which was contained to that area.

Inspector Bradow said the incident was a reminder for all residents to ensure winter heating appliances were safe and had been checked.

“The message to the public is to ensure that any items that are used for heating purposes, especially during winter, are electrically tested to ensure they are safe to use,” he said.

Likewise with the disposal of coals after combustion or wood-fire heaters inside the home or in the backyard, he said.

“We’d like to remind the public also that during the winter months, where there’s been cold days and using wood fires or combustion heaters, the ash of these, when disposed, should be in a metal bucket and set aside to cool completely prior to being placed in a rubbish bin,” he said.

“If they are concerned about it, (the resident) can spread it out on the ground and wait for a bit longer prior to shovelling it up and putting it in the bin as unburned timber, as a coal, could sit and remain quite warm for at least 24 hours.”