FIREFIGHTERS say the Caldwell/Manderson family’s escape from their burning Drummond Rd, Oxley Vale, home is a textbook reason to check smoke alarms are working.
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The family of five were lucky to escape a fire that began in a bedroom of the home about 4am on Saturday.
If it hadn’t been for the smoke detector, Melanie Caldwell, her six-year-old daughter, Charlii-jene, partner Mick Manderson and their four-month-old twins may never have escaped the home.
Tamworth Fire Station deputy captain Brian Hoy said the smoke alarms in the family’s home had certainly “done their job”.
He reminded all homeowners to regularly check their smoke alarms were in working order.
The fire in the Caldwell/Manderson family’s home was so severe, firefighters spent more than an hour extinguishing the blaze, which destroyed everything.
“The roof had collapsed and, such was the ferocity of the blaze, firefighters had to work very carefully,” Deputy Captain Hoy said.
“The family were lucky to be woken by the alarm when they were.”
Forensic police are investigating the cause of the fire, which originated in a bedroom in the front of the fibro-and-brick home yesterday.
