It takes just three minutes for fire to tear through and engulf an entire room.
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That's what Rural Fire Service district officer Aaron Powell wants you to know this winter.
"As far as fire taking hold within a room, these days it can be just three to four minutes before a room with modern fuels like foam mattresses... is fully engulfed," he said.
"That's why Fire and Rescue NSW often promotes closing doors behind you as you leave a room, it helps contain the fire to that room for as long as possible."
Mr Powell said cooler weather did not mean people could be complacent about fire risks.
He said in winter residents needed to check their heating appliances and ensure there was nothing within a metre of heaters.
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Mr Powell said fires in fireplaces should not be left unattended unless they were fully extinguished and all residences must have working smoke alarms.
RFS and Fire and Rescue crews were called to a house fire on Frederick Street, Urana on Wednesday morning, but the house was too far when firefighters arrived.
"Unfortunately the house was completely destroyed," Mr Powell said.
Mr Powell said the exact cause of the fire was not yet known but it was not being treated as suspicious.
Firefighters believe the fire began sometime after 6am but before a neighbour called triple zero at 7.15am.
The house's two occupants were at work at the time of the fire and no one was injured.
Mr Powell said the fire was completely extinguished by midday.
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