A Kalang couple were lucky to escape with their lives when their home caught alight late on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mid North Coast RFS District Services Coordinator, Rachael Eggins, said local RFS crews received a call just after midnight on Sunday morning and initially thought they were going to a bush fire along Kalang Rd.
"Kalang, Scotchman and North Bellingen crews responded and arrived to find the house fully alight and all occupants outside and accounted for," Ms Eggins said.
"Bellingen Fire and Rescue were also there and our crews assisted - we had five vehicles and 12 volunteers on the ground, which included two from the CAT 6. bulk water tanker which came from Coffs."
She said firefighters were unable to save the house but did manage to save a nearby shed.
"Crews left the scene at around 4am but returned a number of times during Sunday to put out re-ignitions from hot spots."
Bellingen Fire and Rescue Station Commander, Brian Woollard, said firefighters could only work in defensive mode as the house was totally engulfed when they arrived.
"The fire was out of control with only the frame and the roof left when we got there," Capt. Woollard said.
"There were a number of hazards, including power lines down plus it was an old house (1930s) and with the possibility of asbestos, we had to use breathing apparatus."
He said everyone did a great job.
"I think the message to take from this is that working smoke alarms save lives."
The cause of the fire is as yet unknown.