House Destroyed and Street Power Cut in Port Stephens Blaze
A fierce fire erupted in the early hours of the morning at Port Stephens, completely destroying a house and forcing authorities to cut power to an entire street. The incident has left the local community in shock as emergency services worked tirelessly to contain the dangerous situation.
Emergency Response to Raymond Terrace Fire
Firefighters were called to an address on Ocean Rover Way in Raymond Terrace at approximately 1:16 AM on Sunday, January 25. Upon arrival, crews discovered flames tearing through the residential property, with the blaze already well-established. Given the intensity of the fire, firefighters immediately adopted a defensive strategy, attacking the flames from the outside as it was deemed too hazardous to enter the building safely.
More than a dozen firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) were deployed to the scene, supported by three fire appliances. Members of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) also provided crucial backup during the operation, ensuring a coordinated effort to manage the emergency.
Containment Efforts and Power Disruption
Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters successfully prevented the flames from spreading to a nearby shed, containing the fire to the original building. However, the situation escalated when a fire broke out inside an electrical service pillar close to the property. This secondary fire necessitated the shutdown of power to the entire street, affecting residents and adding complexity to the emergency response.
Firefighters remained active at the scene, maintaining their defensive strategy until their duties concluded around 5:30 AM, approximately four hours after the initial call. Their persistent efforts ensured the blaze was fully extinguished without further damage to surrounding structures.
Safety and Aftermath
A spokesman for FRNSW confirmed that it is understood someone was home at the time of the fire but managed to self-evacuate before emergency services arrived. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, highlighting the effectiveness of the evacuation and the safety measures taken by both the occupant and the responding crews.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities likely to conduct a thorough examination of the scene. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and preparedness in residential areas, particularly during the summer months when fire risks can be elevated.
Local residents have expressed relief that no one was harmed, though the destruction of the house and the temporary power outage have undoubtedly caused disruption. Community support is expected to rally around those affected as recovery efforts begin.
