A property owner, aged 69, has been hospitalised and is in a stable condition after he was injured while battling a blaze on his property at Guyra Road, Tingha, on Sunday.
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The RFS fire services received a call at 6.08 pm on Sunday and dispatched two fire trucks and eight personnel to the scene. They arrived at the same time as the landowner, who fell into an embankment and hurt himself.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter received a call at 8pm on Sunday and arrived at the scene at 9.30pm. The man, appeared to be in a stable condition when he was flown to Tamworth hospital.
RFS Media Representative James Morris said that incidents such as this one are not common, but highly likely. “In a smoky environment, it’s hard to see what is going on and easy to fall,” Morris said. “Generally, we may have minor injuries and sprains.”
Firefighters are thankful for the help they get from local volunteers but urge them to listen to the trained fire fighters. “Civilians help out a lot at the initial stages before we arrive, then we ask them to stand back as much as possible,” Mr Morris said, however farmers and landowners usually want to stay and help as much as they can. “The more west you go, the more they assist. In urbanised areas, they are more likely to take a step back.
“We rely on residents and members of the community to assist with garden hoses provided they are physically and mentally able to.
“We also urge those who help to be dressed accordingly with long sturdy pants, boots and respiratory protection, such as a wet towel around their face.”
The firefighters worked on the Tingha fire overnight and put it out by 11am on Monday. A total of 5.1 hectares were burnt. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
