Elderly residents were evacuated from IRT's William Beach Gardens aged care facility in Kanahooka after a fire broke out on Monday, November 17. Firefighters responded to the scene on Kanahooka Road at 10:47am following reports of the blaze.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said smoke was issuing from the rear of the property. The fire, which occurred in a ceiling cavity, was contained by the facility's sprinkler system before firefighters from Dapto arrived.
FRNSW Inspector Greg Purvis confirmed that some people were evacuated as a precaution, but no one was at risk and no injuries were reported. NSW Ambulance was not called to the scene.
IRT chief executive officer Ross Gallagher stated that all residents and staff are safe and well. He noted that the fire was in the roof cavity of a section of the care centre, and affected residents are being cared for by IRT staff.
Gallagher praised the quick actions of staff, saying the safety and wellbeing of residents and staff is the absolute priority. IRT is hopeful that residents will be able to return to their rooms on Monday night.
