Shellharbour Fast Food Restaurant Evacuated After Electrical Fire Incident
In a swift response to an emergency, staff at a Hungry Jack's restaurant in Shellharbour acted promptly to extinguish a small electrical fire that broke out on Monday morning. The incident occurred at the fast-food outlet located on the corner of Range and New Lake Entrance roads, causing a brief evacuation but resulting in no injuries.
Timely Intervention Prevents Escalation
The fire ignited inside an electrical switchboard, which began smoking and prompted immediate action from employees. According to Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Superintendent Kevin Smith, the occupants used a CO2 extinguisher to tackle the blaze before emergency services arrived. This proactive measure helped contain what he described as a "very small fire" in the switchboard.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Shellharbour, Albion Park, and Dapto were alerted to the situation at 10.26am on February 9. Upon arrival, firefighters utilized another CO2 extinguisher to douse any remaining hot spots in the switchboard, fully extinguishing the fire by 10.41am. Acting Supt Smith noted that "there was a bit of smoke" but praised the staff's initial efforts.
Safety Protocols Followed During Evacuation
FRNSW Illawarra zone Inspector Andrew Erlik confirmed that approximately 12 people were evacuated from the store as a precautionary measure. He emphasized the importance of safety protocols, urging anyone who spots a fire to evacuate the area immediately and call triple zero. Following the incident, attending firefighters conducted thorough checks using a thermal imaging camera to ensure no residual heat or fire risks remained in the affected and surrounding areas.
The Illawarra Mercury has reached out to Hungry Jack's for further comment on the incident. This event serves as a reminder of the critical role that quick thinking and proper fire safety equipment play in preventing minor emergencies from becoming major disasters.
