Shortly after 4:30pm last Thursday, emergency services in Armidale were called to a house fire at number 4 Lambs Avenue. The 1930’s weatherboard dwelling was completely engulfed when fire fighters arrived. “There was a lot of combustible material in and around the dwelling,” Captain Scott Norton said. “It took us over two hours to put the fire out.”The density of the building’s contents and its timber construction ensured it burnt well but also smouldered long, issuing thick smoke. Fire fighters were forced to don full breathing apparatus to attack the blaze at its edge, let alone from within the building.The priority for fire fighters was safeguarding property in close proximity, containing the blaze. Then Captain Norton said the strategy involved a crew inside the building pushing the fire to one end so it would starve itself of oxygen – much like a bushfire operation.The completely destroyed building is understood to have been home to five family members. Initial reports suggested that none of the residents were home at the time of the fire. However, it is now suspected that it may have been started by a child playing with a cigarette lighter.One adult male resident, Allan Hooker, confirmed that he lived there but explained that it was his mother’s house. He said he believed she had it insured, but lamented that there were so many belongings that could not be replaced. With his home smouldering behind him, Mr Hooker said he was extremely grateful for the efforts of the local Fire and Rescue NSW Brigade. “Their quick response saved my caravan in the backyard. I guess we’ll be living in that for now.””I think it started in the front of the house, on the veranda or in the front room – I’ve no idea how or from what,” Mr Hooker said. “It’s very lucky it never happened in the middle of the night or something,” he said.Lambs Avenue runs parallel and immediately south of the railway line in Armidale. The guttered home faced the railway line. It was just east of busy Markham Street. Police cordoned off the street and questioned onlookers, seeking possible witnesses. Armidale Ambulance Paramedics were on standby at the scene. Two fire units from Armidale attended and a third unit was brought in from Uralla. They were joined by numerous onlookers, with the smoke visible from well beyond the city limits.
Story: Gary Fry
