It is a scenario that would spark fear in anybody.
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It’s the thought of being trapped inside your home and comfortably asleep in bed, yet still at the mercy at something beyond your control.
That is how many would see the prospect of a fire breaking out in the dark. Even worse, of course, would be the prospect of not being able to escape the flames.
This goes to the heart of why fire authorities are so vigilant in warning people about how they can prevent a fire breaking out in their home.
That includes the planning they should do to get out safely if fire does strike and the precautions they should taken, chiefly having a working smoke alarm.
That was the horrific scenario visited upon Michelle Bretz after a fire broke out in a Logan Road, North Albury, house in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The blaze, which is strongly considered to be suspicious, gutted the house.
Ms Clarkson has no doubt what would have eventuated if she was still living in the house, having moved out just two weeks ago.
Her response as she surveyed the damage on Thursday morning went to the heart of the fears of many. “It’s quite a shock. It’s lucky we weren’t in there because we sleep through anything. We wouldn’t have gotten out of that.”
And the fire wasn’t a case of considering the “what-ifs” of the scenario given the danger posed to others.
One resident spoke of her fears as she heard several loud bangs in the night.
![Arson clearly a potentially deadly ingredient in house fires Arson clearly a potentially deadly ingredient in house fires](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/zTpV5j6X6iLmSh5SbcmSaP/318a0964-98b6-4520-9a37-281b73c8c5d1.jpg/r1012_239_3003_2643_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Clearly the flames had the potential to spread to neighbouring houses.
The overriding concern is that it appears highly likely the fire was deliberately lit.
Arson is obviously a crime that can result in a deadly outcome, as is often the case.
If police investigations prove that to be the case in this latest blaze – several nearby homes have been targeted in the past – then it is extremely worrying for residents of the area.
Someone could have actually been inside the house.
Being up for sale does not mean such a house is definitely unoccupied, even by squatters.
It is vital that anybody who might have seen or heard anything suspicious to report their concerns to the police.