Interstate News: No insulation link to deadly Peak Hill house fire
Apr 9, 2010
A FIRE in a central NSW house that killed a man and his grandchild yesterday was not the result of a faulty insulation job, according to authorities.
Energy Efficiency Minister Greg Combet confirmed last night that the home at Peak Hill was fitted with insulation under the Rudd government’s botched $2.45 billion program.
However, the insulation link has been ruled out today, with NSW Police saying the blaze “most probably began on the floor of the lounge room”.
Mr Combet said he had also received advice in writing from the
NSW Fire Commissioner that said : “It has been established that the
insulation played no part in the cause of the fire.
“It appears from available evidence on fire origin and spread that
the presence of the insulation played no part in the cause of death
of the two occupants.”
Yesterday Mr Combet said the fire was a terrible tragedy and the federal government offered its condolences to the family.
The man and his grandson died in the inferno despite desperate attempts by neighbours and passers-by to save them.
Neighbours alerted emergency services to the fire in Derribong Street, Peak Hill, just after midday yesterday.
A NSW Fire Brigades spokesman said the house was engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived six minutes after the alarm was raised.
Firefighters found two bodies inside the badly burnt home.
A police spokesman said: "A lot of people came to their assistance. Neighbours and so forth tried to help them, but they were forced back by the flames."
Paramedics treated a young boy who had tried to smash a window to get into the house to help.
Source: The Australian Newspaper