Emma Pritchard

A mother and her three-year-old child are lucky to be alive after their home was destroyed by fire last week.

Shortly before 11am on September 2, crews from Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station and South Grafton Fire and Rescue 307 Station attended a property in Melaleuca Way, South Grafton, after responding to reports a blaze had broken out at the premises.

Describing the incident as a life-threatening situation, Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Captain Garry Reardon told the Clarence Valley Independent the house was well alight when emergency services arrived.

He said the occupants were alerted to the danger by a smoke alarm.

“The child was asleep, and the mum was in another room when the smoke alarm went off,” he said.

“She grabbed the child and evacuated the property.

“It sends an important message that smoke alarms save lives.”

The mother and child were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for smoke inhalation prior to being transported to Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) for further assessment.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and investigations are continuing.

Following the blaze, Captain Reardon emphasised the importance for all Clarence Valley residents to ensure their properties are fitted with working smoke alarms and fire safety plans are in place.

Crews from Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station also attended a home in Villiers Street, Grafton, last week in response to a fire which broke out in a switchboard, and the scene of a fire in Westlawn where a power pole caught alight.