By Eleanor Wilson
A Narre Warren South man has had a lucky escape after he was awoken in the night to find his garage on fire.
CFA units were called to reports of a house fire around 1:10am on Wednesday 25 January.
Crews from Narre Warren CFA were on scene within six minutes to find a garage alight, with the fire beginning to spread to neighbouring properties.
With additional assistance from Hampton Park Fire Brigade, FRV Station 92 and FRV Station 87, the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes.
Crews utilised a ladder platform to ensure the fire had been completely extinguished.
The scene was also attended by Victoria Police as well as electrical and gas agencies.
An electrical fault is understood to have caused the fire, which completely destroyed the garage of the house, with structural damage also sustained to the main part of the townhouse.
The fire also claimed the occupant’s car, which was located in the garage, along with a number of belongings.
Narre Warren Fire Brigade Captain Travis Carter said the man’s escape sends a clear message.
“Smoke detectors save lives, it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“The smoke detectors were going off when crews arrived and it is probably what woke him up and allowed him to get out of the house on this occasion.”
Crews thanked fast-thinking locals, who were attempting to extinguish the fire with garden hoses when CFA crews arrived.
