1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: In what can only be described as an absolute tragedy, 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 1: A young child's died in a structure fire that occurred 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,559 Speaker 1: in Alice Springs early yesterday, just after ten thirty in 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: the morning. Emergency services were called to that structure fire 5 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: in Lara Pinter following reports that a person was trapped 6 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: inside the residents. Now joining me on the show is 7 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:23,080 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service Deputy Chief Fire 8 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: Officer Joshua Fisher. Good morning to you. 9 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 2: Josh Good morning Katie. 10 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 1: Can you tell me we'll talk me through what unfolded yesterday. 11 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 3: Yes, as you mentioned, a real tragic incident occurred in 12 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 3: Alice Springs in the suburb of Larapinter so soon around 13 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:44,559 Speaker 3: ten thirty yesterday morning, emergency services were alerted to report 14 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 3: of a structure fire, a single story structure fire with 15 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,319 Speaker 3: smoke showing from that property. What we understand at this 16 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 3: point in time is there's reports of people trapped inside 17 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 3: that house. 18 00:00:57,360 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 2: We understand that. 19 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:04,680 Speaker 3: Police were the first driving members that arrived on scene. 20 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 3: Neighbors thankfully went to the aid of an older child 21 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 3: and they rescued that child from that residence. 22 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 2: Police, a number of police. 23 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 3: Did enter the structure but were quickly overwhelmed in terms 24 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 3: of smoke and as such themselves have been treated for 25 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,880 Speaker 3: smoke in elation at the Al Springs Hospital. Shortly after 26 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 3: firefighters arrived and they were informed that there was still 27 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:34,920 Speaker 3: an unaccounted child. Within two minutes they've entered that residence 28 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 3: wherein breathing apparatus, they've undertaken a primary search and unfortunately 29 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 3: they did locate a child. They brought that child outside, 30 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 3: they commenced CPR. The child was then transferred into the 31 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 3: care of Saint John Ambulance and transported to the El 32 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 3: Springs Hospital. But unfortunately medical intervention was unsuccessful and that 33 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 3: child did pass away. 34 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: Honestly, it is absolutely tragic to hear then to hear 35 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: that obviously there's an older child there as well. Thankfully 36 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: that child was out of the house, got out of 37 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 1: the house and he's okay. Josh, I'm not sure what 38 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: level of detail you're able to go into at this point, 39 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 1: but do we have any idea of the child's age 40 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: that had passed or it sounds as though they were 41 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: quite young. 42 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 3: Look, I can confirm that the child was under the 43 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 3: age of five. However, formal identification is still taking place. 44 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 3: And obviously we're working with the family and the next 45 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 3: of kin and obviously the investigation. In terms of the 46 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 3: fire investigation, a crime scene has been declared and both 47 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 3: agencies are working with the coroner's constable. 48 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 1: Do we know if it was just the two children 49 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 1: that were at the house at that point or is 50 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: that information still sort of being gathered. 51 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 3: Also, Look, we've got a fire investigator and detectives from 52 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 3: regional crime and as I mentioned, a con is constable 53 00:02:54,680 --> 00:03:00,239 Speaker 3: or all investigating the circumstances around this incident. There is 54 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 3: a crime scene, there is a police investigation being undertaken. 55 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 2: There are a number of witnesses. 56 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 3: As I mentioned, there were some neighbors that alerted and 57 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:10,959 Speaker 3: called Triple zero and did go to the aid of 58 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 3: another child that was at that residence, an older child. Look, 59 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 3: we'll continue to work through that over the coming days 60 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 3: and we'll have a clearer picture around the entire circumstances soon. 61 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:24,639 Speaker 1: So obviously full investigation is underway. Do we have any 62 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:26,919 Speaker 1: idea at this point in time what's caused that fire. 63 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 3: No, Look, at this point in time, we haven't ruled 64 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 3: anything out. We've got an additional fire investigators being deployed 65 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 3: from Dalwin this morning, Dan Tulla Springs to provide some 66 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 3: additional oversight to our investigation. As I mentioned, we've got 67 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 3: Regional Crime are their assisting as well. So look, we'll 68 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 3: know a little bit more as they start to go 69 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 3: through that incident and start to determine where the seat 70 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 3: of the fire was and then the probable causes that 71 00:03:57,360 --> 00:03:59,119 Speaker 3: led to this tragic circumstances. 72 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: Do we know if there was fire alarms or anything 73 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 1: at the house. 74 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 2: Not at this point in time. 75 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 3: That will form part of that investigation and we'll piece 76 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 3: that together. 77 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: I mean, this is such a tragic and heartbreaking situation 78 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 1: for so many reasons. But I honestly I can't imagine 79 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: how the police felt trying to get into that home, 80 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: and then how the fire is felt upon discovering that 81 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: there was a little person under the age of five 82 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: still inside that home. It's utterly heartbreaking. How are all 83 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: of those frontline workers going at this point? 84 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, you're right, this is really a difficult incident 85 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 3: to deal with for any first responder and obviously members 86 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 3: of the community and the family themselves. You know, we've 87 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:46,039 Speaker 3: got some really strong support around our people. Both the 88 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 3: first arriving police officers and our firefighters. The police, Fire 89 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 3: and Emergency Services chaplain was with our firefighters yesterday afternoon 90 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,839 Speaker 3: back on station talking with them. We've got other support 91 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 3: mechanisms around, but an incident of this nature is going 92 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 3: to be with them forever. 93 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:07,040 Speaker 2: This is something that they're certainly never going to forget. 94 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:11,040 Speaker 3: This is really horrific and something that no first responder 95 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 3: wants to ever have to deal with. 96 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: No, you're spot on, and the loss of life is 97 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 1: an absolute tragedy in any situation. But when you talk 98 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: about a young child, I mean, I know you and 99 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: I both parents. There's so many parents, caregivers, grandparents that 100 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: listen to this show. It is utterly heartbreaking. Yeah, what's 101 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: gone on now? You did mention a moment ago that 102 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: some of the police that arrived on the scene in 103 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 1: the first instance then had to be treated for smoke inhalation. 104 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: Do we have any idea how they're going at this point? 105 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, Look, my understanding at this point in time is 106 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:46,040 Speaker 3: that they are okay. So they did enter the house 107 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 3: and they did become overcome very quickly with smoke, and 108 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 3: they were treated at the l Springs Hospital for smoke inhalation. 109 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,039 Speaker 3: I guess This talks to the dangers that are involved 110 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 3: in fighting structure fires. This is why the Fire and 111 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 3: Rescue Service trains. This is why we have the equipment 112 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 3: that we have and the efforts of our firefighters who 113 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 3: upon arrival, wearing their protective clothing, wearing the breathing apparatus, 114 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 3: we're able to safely gain entry into the premises, locate 115 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:19,120 Speaker 3: the child and bring them outside. And as we know, 116 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 3: unfortunately that child was unable to be revived. 117 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 2: But these are the dangers that we face. 118 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:29,840 Speaker 3: And I guess this talk to the importance around having 119 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 3: a home fire safety plan, insurance that there are working 120 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 3: smoke detectors, that we are communicating to our children and 121 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 3: our family around what to do in the event that 122 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:42,039 Speaker 3: a smoke army is activated or we find that there's 123 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 3: a fire in our home. 124 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:44,839 Speaker 2: We need to be safe. 125 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: Josh, just very quickly, you did say that there is 126 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: a fire investigator traveling from Darwin to Alice Springs. Are 127 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 1: there going to be sort of additional any additional staff 128 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 1: sent to Alice at this point or is that all 129 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 1: that's required right now? 130 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 3: So that fire investigator is our fire investigator coordinator for 131 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 3: the Northern Territory. So they've gone down to provide that 132 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 3: additional support to our Springs based fire investigator that's working 133 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 3: on this matter. In terms of additional support for Ali 134 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 3: Springs firefighting crews, we continually examine and look at our rostering. 135 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 2: In terms of Ola Springs. 136 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 3: We do have some additional resources that will be rostered 137 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 3: down there to fill any gaps that we have in 138 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 3: that operational ten to fourteen shift roster, and as ordinarily, 139 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 3: we continue to look at our numbers right across the board. 140 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: Josh, I really appreciate you coming in this morning. I 141 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: know that it's an incredibly tough morning for absolutely everybody involved. 142 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 1: For the community of Ella Springs. It is utterly heartbreaking. 143 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: For the family of that little person. I can't even 144 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: imagine the heartbreak that they must be feeling at this point, 145 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: But certainly on behalf of the whole community, we're thinking 146 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: of those fires and of those police officers, all of 147 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: the first responders, the ambos well an incredibly difficult time, 148 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: and you know, we tip our hats when we talk 149 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:06,960 Speaker 1: about the incredible work that they do, but I think 150 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 1: when something like this occurs, you understand just how difficult 151 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: those jobs. 152 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 3: Can be exactly and why we need to have the 153 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 3: support around our people and ensure that we've got appropriate 154 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 3: well being strategies in place to support them. You know, 155 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 3: I would like to pass my condolences on to the 156 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 3: family of their child. It would be absolutely heartbreaking for 157 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:32,199 Speaker 3: them right now, but I know that our first responders 158 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 3: did absolutely everything they could. From the police officers through 159 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 3: the Saint John Ambulance paramedics through to the firefighters. Everyone 160 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 3: did their job and they did the very best that 161 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:43,839 Speaker 3: they could in the circumstances. 162 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: Deputy Chief Fire Officer Josh Fisher always appreciate your time. 163 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for speaking with us this morning. 164 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 2: Thanks Gadie.