Fire victim in stable condition
Published Date: 18 Jan 2014
Summary
Central Western Daily By NADINE MORTON
A 68-year-old man from Sydney has been issued a $1100 infringement notice after he deliberately lit a fire near Orange on Thursday which left a woman in hospital.
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A 68-year-old man from Sydney has been issued a $1100 infringement notice after he deliberately lit a fire near Orange on Thursday which left a woman in hospital.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) had declared a total fire ban for Orange with dry conditions across the region and hot, windy weather forecast.
His decision to burn off some old bee hives quickly turned into an out-of-control 12 hectare blaze.
Firefighters had to scramble to protect life and property at the Lower Lewis Ponds around 14 kilometres north-east of Orange.
RFS Canobolas Zone operational services co-ordinator Brett Bowden said the man's disregard for a total fire ban in place was "frustrating".
"It's frustrating that people don't either recognise or abide by rules but we live in a world where there's lots of different individuals."
A 58-year-old female relative of the man was transported to Orange hospital for observation and then later released for suspected burns to her face, chest and throat.
Despite Thursday's fire Mr Bowden said overall they have had "fantastic co-operation" from the community across Canobolas during the ongoing hot weather.
Lewis Ponds
LOCATION: 1875 Lower Lewis Pond sRoad Lewis Ponds
COUNCIL AREA: Cabonne
STATUS: under control
TYPE: Grass fire
FIRE: Yes
SIZE: 10 ha
RESPONSIBLE AGENCY: Rural Fire Service
By NADINE MORTON Jan. 16, 2014, 7:45 p.m
UPDATE: 20.57pm
A 58-year-old woman is in a stable condition at Orange hospital following injuries she received in a grass fire late Thursday afternoon.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) have confirmed the 10 hectare fire north-east of Orange at Lower Lewis Ponds Road is now under control.
Stay up-to-date with more information on the NSW RFS website.
Thursday January 16, 7.45pm
A WOMAN has been taken to Orange hospital with injuries she received in a fire north-east of Orange on Thursday afternoon.
Fire crews were called to an out-of-control grass fire at Lower Lewis Ponds Road, off Ophir Road, around 24 kilometres north-east of Orange at 5.20pm.
There are currently 10 NSW Rural Fire Service tankers on scene along with two fixed-wing aerial water bombers.
Mr Smith said the 10 hectare fire is being controlled and crews will remain on scene overnight.
The fire occurred during a total fire ban day and police have been called to the scene.
Police preparing to charge Lewis Ponds fire starter
By NADINE MORTON Jan. 17, 2014, 10:42 a.m.
POLICE are preparing to lay charges against a man after he lit a fire that left a woman burnt and in Orange hospital late Thursday.
Despite a total fire ban in place the man lit a fire to incinerate some old bee hives at his Lower Lewis Ponds Road property, around 14 kilometres north-east of Orange.
The fire quickly got out-of-control and a 58-year-old woman received burns to her face, chest and throat.
The woman has since been discharged from hospital.
NSW Rural Fire Service Canobolas Zone operational services co-ordinator Brett Bowden said a number of infringement notices could be issued to the man.
"We had two aircraft, eight tankers and 35 people and it's probably come at a cost of $10,000 just for this fire," he said.
Mr Bowden said two males and two females were at the location of the fire yesterday.
Fire investigators and police remain on scene at the burnt out area today.
