‘We know we can do more’: Firefighters say horror Melbourne house fire could have been avoided

The Victorian firefighters union says the tragic house fire which killed a toddler and seriously injured his father in Melbourne’s south-west could have been avoided.

Jordan Dashwood, three, couldn’t be saved when his family’s home in Werribee was engulfed by a ferocious blaze around midnight yesterday.

Three-year-old Jordan Dashwood. 9News

His father Jeremy, 39, remains in an induced coma with serious burns after he escaped the fire by jumping out of a window.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews arrived at the scene nine minutes after the blaze was reported. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews followed several minutes later.

Veteran firefighter and United Firefighters Union Victoria (UFU) member David Abbey said under-resourcing meant crews could not arrive in time to save Jordan.

He warned the City of Wyndham desperately needs more firefighting equipment and claimed it was just a “matter of time” before a fatal incident took place.

“In my personal opinion, it was a situation that could have been avoided had the state government and management of FRV invested adequately in the service, delivery and resources in the City of Wyndham,” Abbey said.

“We are so under-resourced, it’s actually very scary.

“I believe that the government and Fire Rescue Victoria have been playing Russian roulette with the safety of the residents of Wyndham.”

The nearest fire station to the Dashwood family home had just one truck, which was at another incident, the UFU said.

Abbey said firefighters had been asking the state government and FRV for more appliances and vehicles.

If there was a second truck, Abbey believes firefighters would have been on the scene in a matter of 5 to 6 minutes.

“Minutes can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews arrived at the scene nine minutes after the blaze was reported. 9News

“Time is our enemy. We need appliances here. We can’t wait for 10,12 or 13 minutes.”

Abbey accused the state government of being “asleep at the wheel”.

He said Jordan’s death was a tragically inevitable consequence of the lack of resources.

“For us as career firefighters to see the end result of that fire, it’s absolutely devastating and heartbreaking, because we know we can do more,” he added.

“The residents [of Wyndham] would be shocked to know the lack of resources that are available to support them in their time of need.”

The UFU is calling on the government and FRV to supply the Wyndham area with more appliances and trucks.
Advertisement
The City of Wyndham council area includes fast-growing suburbs including Werribee, Tarneit, Truganina, Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook.

A spokesperson for FRV said that the closest available resource responded to the fire, which meant CFA crews were first on the scene.

Veteran firefighter and United Firefighters Union Victoria (UFU) member David Abbey. 9News

“FRV resources arrived on scene as soon as they became available,” the spokesperson said.

“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the child who tragically died.”

Nine.com.au has contacted Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan for comment.

Jordan’s older brother, 11, and his mother, 40, were also able to escape the fire.

The family’s two dogs perished in the blaze.
Advertisement
More than 10 fire trucks and 40 firefighters attended the scene and extinguished the fire after an hour, before conducting a search of the home.

It took around an hour for crews to control the fire.

Police are investigating and an arson chemist will attend the scene, but at this stage it is not being treated as suspicious.a

SOURE: https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/vic/we-know-we-can-do-more-firefighters-say-horror-melbourne-house-fire-could-have-been-avoided-20260602-p6035x.html