In a sobering discovery following a fatal house fire, firefighters have found multiple homes in Berkeley without working smoke alarms, just metres from where a man lost his life.
Door-to-door safety checks reveal alarming gaps
Just one day after a 43-year-old man died in a unit fire on Kelly Street on January 5, 2026, crews from Fire and Rescue NSW stations in Unanderra and Warrawong conducted urgent door-to-door safety checks in the area. Their mission was to install smoke detectors and provide vital fire safety advice to residents.
Within the first 300 metres of their efforts, firefighters encountered two homes with critical safety shortcomings. At one property, homeowner Mark Cobill admitted he had never considered installing a smoke alarm. "I'd never thought about it," he said.
A few doors away, resident Kaye Carrall was found to have an outdated smoke detector in her social housing home, which she believed was over a decade old. "They were so lovely, but I got a shock when I saw the fire brigade out there," Ms Carrall stated. "I understand they're doing it because of what happened yesterday, it's really sad."
However, a Homes NSW spokesman contested the claim about the detector's age. "Both fire alarms at the property are well within their warranty having expiry dates of 2028 and 2029 and have been regularly serviced," he said. The spokesman outlined a comprehensive annual fire safety program for social housing, which includes replacing alarms every nine years.
A close call highlights common fire danger
While some firefighters were checking hydrants on Kelly Street during the safety blitz, the urgent call came in for another incident. Crews raced to a unit fire on Ranchby Avenue in Lake Heights.
The fire was sparked when a resident left eggs cooking on the stove to go shopping. An alert neighbour spotted the smoke, called triple-zero, and safely removed the pan from the heat before firefighters arrived.
Unanderra firefighter Jason Kirkwood praised the neighbour's quick thinking. "This was the best case scenario," he said. He issued a stern reminder: "Keep looking when cooking ... one of the more common causes of fires is forgetting about cooking on your stovetops and ovens."
Firefighters urge residents to take action
Fire and Rescue NSW Warrawong Station Officer Andrew Gordon emphasised the life-saving importance of working smoke alarms and fire safety knowledge. "We're out doing community fire safety talks with our local people in the street here to just try and ease their minds and give them some tips and tricks on keep safe," he explained.
During the visits, crews also discussed home exit strategies for emergencies. Fire and Rescue NSW offers a free home fire safety check for those without a working alarm or who are unable to install one themselves. Residents can visit fire.nsw.gov.au for more information or to request a visit.
The tragic event in Berkeley serves as a stark reminder for all households to ensure their smoke alarms are installed, functional, and less than ten years old.
