Quick action by Illaroo ROAD Brigade They arrived on scene to see the local surf shop and motorbike shop ablaze. Flames were flowing from all sides of the building, local residents were standing around viewing the scene.
Illaroo Road Rural Fire Brigade were heading home from a day of meetings and a clean up exercise in March 2010, when they noticed a thick plume of smoke engulfing the town centre of Nowra. TOP: Nowra’s local surf shop and motorbike shop well alight CENTRE: Elected at the AGM held just before the incident took place were Illaroo Brigade Captain Vic Judson, Snr Dep Capt Michael Evans, Dep Peter Bye, Dep Mick Judson, Equipment Officer Shannon Fryer and Treasurer Ron Witz
12 BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS
Illaroo Road Senior Deputy Captain Michael Evans, in charge of the day’s operations, radioed FireCom who instructed the Illaroo Road Brigade to respond and investigate. Illaroo Road Brigade 1 and 7 crews quickly set up initial 65mm and 38mm hose lines, stand pipes for the extra water resources and then launched into first attack on the eastern side of the building upwind and out of the hot zone (Illaroo Road is not a Village 2 brigade and therefore does not have breathing apparatus.) All crew members from our Cat 1 and 7 were fully engaged in the incident for at least five minutes before the NSW Fire
Story and photos by Tracy Griffiths, Secretary, Illaroo Road Brigade
Brigades (NSWFB) arrived to take control. Smoke from the building was toxic due to the hazardous materials within the buildings. Adding to hazard was the location of the fire right on the Princes Highway. Trafffic had to diverted around the incident and through the centre of town. Extra Breathing Apparatus crews were called to assist from Group 1 and Group 2 area as well as NSWFB crews from Berry, Kiama and Wollongong. Other emergency services were also involved including NSW Police, Ambulance Service of NSW, Integral Energy and the local council. The fire burned for three and a half hours before crews could take a well-earned rest and gratefully eat the lunch kindly provided by the NSWFB. Illaroo Road Brigade left the scene in the early evening.