House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Ministerial Statement Beverley House Fire BEVERLEY HOUSE FIRE The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN House of Assembly Napier Minister for Finance Minister for Police Minister for Correctional Services Minister for Emergency Services Minister for Road Safety The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:17): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement. Leave granted. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Just before the minister commences, I warned the Minister for Health for the first time for mentioning the Leader of the Opposition's Christian and surname, which was entirely unnecessary. Mr Venning House of Assembly Mr Venning: And unparliamentary. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: And unparliamentary. Minister for Finance. The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN House of Assembly The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: Two Metropolitan Fire Service firefighters and a member of the public were injured in a house fire in Adelaide's north-west yesterday afternoon. Thirty-five MFS firefighters responded to a significant house fire on the corner of East Avenue and Spring Street at Beverley at about 3:35pm. Firefighters received information that a person or persons may still have been inside the property. Firefighters therefore conducted an internal fire attack while searching the burning home and worked to extinguish the fire. It was later confirmed that one occupant of the home had managed to escape and was treated for smoke inhalation. I understand the occupant is recovering well. During firefighting operations, two MFS firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and personal protective clothing received serious burns. Both were immediately treated at the scene by SA Ambulance Service paramedics with the assistance of MFS firefighters before being transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Both firefighters underwent surgery last night. One currently remains in intensive care, and the other has been transferred to the burns unit. While the injuries sustained were serious, both firefighters are expected, in time, to recover. All staff involved in the incident are receiving support from their peers and through professional support arrangements. This incident highlights to all of us the inherent dangers that firefighters face in exercising their responsibilities on behalf of the community. I have been advised by the Metropolitan Fire Service of the tremendous professionalism and collaboration at the scene of the incident with ambulance and police personnel, and the high-quality care being provided to the firefighters at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. My thoughts, and I believe those of the house, are with the injured firefighters, their families and colleagues at this difficult time. Honourable members House of Assembly Honourable members: Hear, hear!