In the midst of the wild storm that hit the Nowra area the NSW Fire and Rescue Nowra crews were called to multiple jobs including a reported bushfire at Bens Walk overlooking the Shoalhaven River and a house fire at Nowra East.

The crews received the house fire call while at Bens Walk where the alleged bushfire couldn't be found and the incident was passed to the Rural Fire Service before diverting to the house fire in Stuart Street.

When crews arrived the home occupants had almost extinguished the stove fire.

Nowra captain John Dun said quick action by the residents and a working smoke detector had certainly helped save the property.

“The homeowners had done a great job containing the fire before we arrived,” he said.

“Crews really only had to extinguish a small amount of fire and there was minimal damage to the home.

“Crews used thermal imaging cameras to ensure there was no further spread of fire into wall cavities.

“The smoke detectors were activating, alerting the residents.

“It just demonstrates the importance of having working smoke detectors.

“Regardless of it being summer or winter having a working smoke alarm in a house is a priority as proved by Tuesday afternoon.”

The crews were then called to an automatic fire alarm at the Manildra ethanol plant in Bomaderry, where the operation’s suppression system had activated after a lightning strike.

Captain Dun said it had been a busy time for the brigade over the Christmas period without being overwhelmed.

“We have days where we received a number of calls but then could go days without any calls at all,” he said.

“Fortunately we have not been called to any bushfires in the local area or been deployed to other areas to help out.”

He again reinforced the importance of fire safety in the home.

“Despite it being summer we still want people to continue to think about home fire safety,” he said.

“I visited a resident in Worrigee just the other day who had not long moved to the area and requested a fire safety check and wanted some advice.

“I went out and looked over her home and offered some ideas.”

Anyone who would like a home fire safety check on their properties can contact the Fire and Rescue NSW Shoalhaven crews on 4421 4754.