Because without them, Trevor and Dulcie Turner’s Charteris Bay home would have gone up in flames when an electrical meter box sparked a fire in their garage.
They were on holiday in Twizel when they received the news their Ngaio Ln property had been saved, thanks to the alertness of neighbours.
Said Mr Turner: “It’s a goosebumpy sort of feeling.
"A complete and utter disaster was prevented by some really good teamwork by fire brigades and neighbours.”
After hearing smoke alarms going off next door, Georgia Brown went to check on the property and discovered smoke coming from the garage about 4.30pm on December 27.
A fast response from Diamond Harbour and Governors Bay fire crews meant the blaze was able to be contained to the garage and extinguished.
Mr and Mrs Turner lost a motorcycle, whiteware and tools, among other items.
“Had we not put new alarms into the garage, the fire definitely would have tracked its way into the house and probably have doubled in size within 30 minutes.”
Mr Turner said knowing their neighbours “absolutely” helped the situation. “We are lucky.”
Diamond Harbour Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Bob Palmer said the incident was a good example of how working smoke alarms and neighbours keeping an eye on each other’s properties can make a big difference.
“Smoke alarms don’t only save people in occupied houses but are loud enough to alert neighbours as well," he said.
"Early alerting like this gets us there in time to make a huge difference to the outcome."
