A leak from an air conditioner that resulted in a call to the CFA has served as a timely reminder for people to check their own air conditioners, firefighters say.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shortly after 5am Thursday, the CFA was called to a home in Mitchell Street following a report of a smell of gas and haze.
After conducting atmospheric monitoring, the source of the odour and haze was found to be the air conditioning unit.
The air conditioner had run throughout the night and frozen up, leading the leak of a refrigerant.
The home was deemed safe within about 30 minutes.
CFA senior station officer Darren Eenjes said the incident served as a timely reminder to people to check their air conditioners as the region heads into summer.
He said it was also important to have air conditioners serviced annually.
In one weekend last summer, CFA crews attended four fires started by evaporative coolers.
The incidents prompted a call for all people with air conditioners or evaporative coolers to have them regularly serviced, to ensure they were not at risk of an electrical fault or fire.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
