Three house fires in the Blue Mountains within five days last week have prompted authorities to remind residents to be vigilant during the rest of winter - the season which research shows 43 per cent of all fire fatalities occur in.
A Springwood home was completely destroyed by fire on Wednesday, July 23 just before midnight, when Fire and Rescue NSW and Rural Fire Service personnel arrived at Hawkesbury Road to see the building engulfed in flames.
Nobody was home at the time and firefighters were able to quickly control the fire, preventing damage to neighbouring properties.
Police established a crime scene and investigations are continuing to determine the cause of the fire.
Another house fire struck in Lawson just two days later in the early hours of the morning.
A mother and her two children at the Adelaide Street were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called about 5.30am, quickly containing the blaze which still caused major damage to parts of the home. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Firefighters say the sounding of a smoke alarm prevented catastrophe and potentially saved lives during a fire at a Winmalee house about 3am on Monday, July 28.
A Fire and Rescue NSW crew from Springwood was first to arrive and found the owner of the house at Ridgeview Crescent extinguishing a fire.
The blaze caused significant damage to a deck and windows, as well as the roof and walls.
A mother and a four-month-old baby were treated for smoke inhalation and transported to hospital by ambulance for observation.
Springwood Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Bruce Cameron said "the family was alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm - had the alarm not activated the outcome would have been a lot more serious".
"Every house should have smoke alarms, we see them save people all the time."
Acting Fire and Rescue NSW local zone commander Peter Nugent urged residents to be vigilant for the remainder of winter.
"The key to reducing the risk of fire occurring in your home and to surviving a house fire is being prepared," he said.
"Everyone in your household should understand what risks there are in your home and what to do to minimise them."
He urged residents to conduct a home fire safety audit by visiting www.fire.nsw.gov.au.
