Chimney fire destroys $500,000 home at Tailem Bend

3 June 2018

At 4:30 this afternoon the CFS was alerted to a house fire via multiple calls to triple zero.

Crews arrived to find a two storey home ablaze.

The single occupant of the home at the time was able to safely exit.

In total eight fire trucks and two bulk water carriers attended the fire, supported by a local government bulk water carrier and SES volunteers and additional specialist structural firefighting equipment was brought in from the CFS State Training Centre at Brukunga.

Approximately 50 firefighters defended local properties and attempted to extinguish the fire.

A neighbouring residence and motorcycle store, with a combined value of more than $1 million, were successfully protected by the crews.

The fire was believed to have started in the chimney of the home, and quickly spread through the house.

The two storey home and its contents was fully destroyed, with damages estimated at $500,000.

CFS crews are still extinguishing embers between the first and second floor and will remain at the site until it is safe.

2018-06-03 Brett Williamson