MT Martha Fire Brigade have endorsed the use of interconnected smoke alarm systems after Mt Martha residents were alerted to a fire in their upstairs kitchen, while they were downstairs.
Only minutes after returning home, family members were alerted to a fire caused by an unattended pot left on their stove in their upstairs kitchen, triggering the interconnected smoke alarms throughout their house.
The homeowner was able to investigate swiftly, discovered kitchen appliances were on fire, and promptly called triple zero (000).
Mt Martha Fire Brigade, along with supporting crews, quickly brought the fire under control and prevented it from spreading further.
Incident controller and Mt Martha captain Brandon Crowder said the interconnected smoke alarms played a crucial role in alerting the residents before the fire could develop further.
“We strongly recommend installing interconnected smoke alarms, so that if one alarm activates all alarms in the home go off,” said Crowder.
“Without the early warning, the fire could have continued burning unnoticed.”
The homeowner used a fire extinguisher to reduce the fire before evacuating.
“Having a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen can make a real difference in the early stages of a fire, as long as it is safe to use.”
First published in the Mornington News – 15 September 2026
