A FIRE that ripped through a shed on Hinton Road on Thursday night has prompted a warning from firefighters whose busy winter season is just a few days away.
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A supply of ammunition stored in the shed began igniting as firefighters fought to stop the blaze from spreading to the nearby home.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) duty commander Inspector Brett Jackson said it was a difficult situation for the firefighters in attendance.
“There was ammunition in there which was igniting and that can pose a danger for crews,” he said.
NSW Rural Fire Service Chifley operations officer Brett Taylor was among the crews called in to fight the blaze.
“There were two cars, lots of personal items, machinery, furniture,” he said of the shed’s contents.
“At one point the roof started to cave in.”
Due to the home’s location and the lack of a town water supply, fire crews were forced to go to Boundary Road to obtain water and move it from truck-to-truck via hoses to reach the burning shed.
Nine firefighting vehicles from the two fire services were called the scene, including a bulk water carrier.
Flames were clearly visible in the surrounding area and nearby Mountain Straight resident Lee Baxter said she could see them from her property.
Each year, FRNSW attend around 4500 residential fires across the state, and 30 per cent of them occur during winter.
Kelso FRNSW Captain Ray Dresser urged residents to be mindful of potential fire hazards during the cold winter weather.
He said the biggest risks came from people trying to heat their homes and dry clothes inside.
“People hang their clothing too close to heaters and the clothes can heat up,” Captain Dresser said.
“Keep wet clothing at least one metre from heaters or fireplaces and never leave it unattended.
“If you use a clothes dryer, make sure you clean the lint filter each and every time you use it.”
Electric blankets are another concern and Captain Dresser urged people never to use a damaged blanket on their bed.
“If you find something damaged don’t use it and get it checked by an expert,” he said.
If you have a fireplace in your home, ensure the chimney is clean and properly ventilated and always place a screen in front of it when in use.