180 NSW house fires since winter began

NSW residents are being urged to be more cautious following two separate house fire
deaths in the past few days.
NSW Fire Brigades commissioner Greg Mullins said there had been more than 180 house
fires throughout the state since winter began.
The warning came after the body of an elderly woman was discovered following a house
fire in Cabramatta in Sydney's southwest on Tuesday.
Initial investigations show the fire was caused by a heater.
"Today's tragic fatality is the second serious house fire involving heaters this
week," Mr Mullins said referring to a home in Gilgandra in NSW's central west that
was destroyed by fire last Saturday.
In a separate incident, an elderly man died in a house fire in Lithgow on Saturday.
"It is vital that people ensure that heaters and fireplaces are never left
unattended, move combustible materials like curtains and clothes away from the heat
source and most importantly, ensure that all heating appliances are switched off
before going to bed," Mr Mullins said.