A Frenchs Forest attic fire has badly damaged a two-storey weatherboard home after residents woke to crackling sounds and found flames in a living space above the second level.
A Frenchs Forest attic fire has badly damaged a two-storey weatherboard home after residents woke to crackling sounds and found flames in a living space above the second level.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight on Sunday, 17 May, at a home on Fitzpatrick Avenue East, near Wilma Place. Emergency services were called after smoke was seen coming from the roof, with Fire and Rescue NSW crews arriving within eight minutes of the Triple Zero call.
Two male occupants, a father and son aged in their 50s and 20s, had already escaped the property by the time firefighters arrived. Their pet dog was also safely outside the home.
Residents Escape Frenchs Forest Attic Fire
The occupants told firefighters they had discovered the fire in an attic living space after hearing crackling noises from above. Because the fire was in the upper part of the home, smoke alarms on the first level had not initially detected it.
Both residents were assessed by paramedics for smoke inhalation but did not need to be taken to hospital. Their dog was unharmed. The residents later spent the night at a family friend’s home after being advised not to remain in the damaged property.
Fire Crews Work Through Roof And Wall Cavities
About 25 firefighters responded from Manly, Dee Why, Forestville, Narrabeen and Willoughby stations. On arrival, crews saw smoke coming from the house and worked to locate the fire between the second level and attic.
The corrugated metal roof limited oxygen reaching the flames but also made the fire harder to access from outside. A ladder platform truck from Manly was used to cool the roof as smoke escaped from beneath the metal sheeting.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the home after power was turned off at the switchboard. The electrical supply to the property was also disconnected by an emergency electrician. Crews then worked through the interior, pulling down gyprock and lifting floorboards to reach fire moving through wall and roof cavities.
Fitzpatrick Avenue East Home Left With Fire, Smoke And Water Damage
Firefighters had the main fire extinguished just after 2:00 am, but crews remained at the property until about 5:00 am to carry out salvage and overhaul work. That process included removing sections of gyprock to confirm the fire had been fully put out.
The home sustained significant damage, with smoke and water affecting other areas beyond the fire’s point of origin. The property was returned to the occupants after smoke was cleared, but they were told not to stay there overnight.
The cause of the fire was not considered suspicious. Initial information indicated an electrical fault may have been involved, although the fire was contained to the area where it started.
Fire Safety Warning Ahead Of Winter
The Frenchs Forest attic fire was the third house fire reported in the suburb in two months and formed part of a wider run of house fires across the Northern Beaches this year.
Fire and Rescue NSW has reminded residents to check that smoke alarms are working and to have a home evacuation plan, particularly as colder weather approaches. That plan should include knowing how to call Triple Zero, what to say during the call and where occupants should meet firefighters outside the home.
Local fire stations can also provide free home safety visits for residents wanting guidance on smoke alarms, escape plans and household fire risks.
Published 19-May-2026
