Crews tackle house fire

FIREFIGHTERS, using breathing apparatus, tackled a fire at an empty Berwick house on Monday afternoon.
A number of calls were made to the 000 emergency line just after 3pm, reporting the house on fire in Florence Avenue, in the Timbarra estate.
CFA crews from Berwick and Narre Warren rushed to the address, finding smoke coming from the house. They managed to confine the fire to the area of kitchen where it originated.
Berwick Fire Brigade Captain Alan Boyd said the fire was believed to have started in a household appliance which was left on while the occupants were out.
The heat and the smoke from the fire caused significant damages estimated at more than $15,000.
The CFA is not treating the fire as suspicious but warned residents of the importance of switching off all appliances when homes are left unattended.
“We are urging residents to make sure that everything possible is turned off when leaving homes, this includes heaters, coolers, fans, dishwashers, washing machines, computers and other household appliances,” Captain Boyd said.