Firefighters extinguish blaze after toxic smoke at Shepparton house

By Max Stainkamph

Jan 20, 2023

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze at an unoccupied home in Shepparton, with one firefighter taken to hospital from exertion.

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Emergency services responded to the blaze in Newlyn St just after 4.45pm on Friday, January 20, with toxic smoke covering the area for a short time after.

Firefighters evacuated the area briefly before the blaze was brought under control after about 20 minutes.

Fire and Rescue Shepparton station 75 senior station officer David Pitcher said no-one was in the house at the time of the fire.

Responding: Firefighters activated asbestos protocols following a fire in Newlyn St in Shepparton on Friday afternoon. Photo: Max Stainkamph Photo by Max Stainkamph

“Fire crews were met with a heavily smoke-logged and fire-logged house due to hoarding conditions, which made entry extremely difficult for firefighters and quite unsafe at times,” he said.

“Crews persevered and extinguished the fire and one of our firefighters has been taken to hospital for observation.

“The house was full of every imaginable thing you can think of, a combination of materials like carbon, plastic and rubber.”

He said crews were implementing asbestos procedures to ensure safety.