FIREFIGHTERS are alarmed there have been 19 car fires in the Albury area this year.
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Seven of them were in the past two months.
Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Stewart Alexander is warning residents about the dangers of burning vehicles.
“People need to be aware that cars can be engulfed quickly,” he said.
“They are also highly flammable and can be toxic.”
Insp Alexander urged Albury residents to remember basic fire safety when faced with a car fire as a man burnt his hands in such a blaze this week.
He said it was important for people to call triple zero as soon as they saw a fire.
“When people call they should be descriptive and accurate,” he said.
“Provide information on where the fire is, including crossing streets and landmarks and tell us if anyone is injured or if other property has been damaged or is under threat.”
And don’t attempt to put a fire out yourself, he advised.
That’s because the whole car can engulf in minutes as the fuel might ignite a larger fire.
“Firefighters are well trained and equipped to fight these fires and need to be notified as soon as possible,” he said.
He said there was a greater risk of explosion if heat and toxic gases were present.
People should just stay away because the situation could be unpredictable — and it was more efficient for people to dial triple zero rather than call a fire station because it may be unattended, Insp Alexander said.
“Triple zero is the quickest way to get the right emergency service resources and should be used in life threatening or time critical situations,” he said.