The scene of a fire which ripped through two apartments in Rutherford overnight has been handed over to NSW Police for further investigation.
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More than 10 Fire and Rescue crews battled a blaze in Churchill Crescent in which one unit in an eight unit complex was destroyed, and another severely damaged.
Fire and Rescue NSW received multiple Triple Zero (000) calls just before 2am for a unit fire with persons reported missing.
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All residents in the two-storey building were eventually accounted for with one person treated by NSW Ambulance for shock. Approximately 20 people were evacuated from the scene.
The site was handed over to NSW Police at approximately 4am.
Acting Duty Commander for Metro North Fire and Rescue NSW, Dan Agland, said fire crews brought the blaze under control within about 30 minutes and extinguished it shortly after.
"The cause is still under investigation and is now a matter for police," Duty Commander Agland said.
He said the fire appeared to have started on the ground floor apartment and spread to the upper apartment which received extensive damaged.
The downstairs apartment was completely destroyed.
Fire and Rescue NSW said it as a timely reminder for people to take safety steps to protect your home:
- Never ever leave cooking unattended.
- Test that your smoke alarm/s are working. If not, change the batteries or replace the alarm.
- Keep everything one metre away from your heater
- Do not overload your power boards with appliances like heaters and electric blankets.
- Strong fire screens should be set up in front of open fires
- Turn off your electric blanket at night.
- Do not use outdoor heating and cooking equipment inside your home. The use of this type of equipment indoors could lead to the build-up of carbon monoxide which could be fatal
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