Two people have died and a child has been seriously injured in a house fire in south-west Sydney.
Key Points:
- Six people were inside a house surrounded by fierce flames
- Paramedics were unable to save two people who died at the scene
- One of the firefighters fell down a floor and another suffered an electric shock
Four people, including two firefighters, were taken to hospital after the fire broke out in Rottnest Avenue, Hinchinbrook, at around 5.30am today.
A team of 60 firefighters battled the flames while paramedics treated the occupants at the scene.
Six people were inside the house. Three people were rescued from the burning building by firefighters.
Two of them were pronounced dead at the scene and the third, a boy, was rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital.
Three other people managed to escape the fire themselves.
Superintendent Luke Unsworth, from Fire and Rescue NSW, said crews arrived to find a “very heavy house fire”.
“The fire was so intense that the firemen could not reach the front door because of the radiant heat,” he said.
“They went up to the second floor and there they managed to rescue three people who were taken to an ambulance for treatment.
“Unfortunately, two of those three people have been confirmed dead… which is a tragic outcome for both the family and the local community.”
Superintendent Luke Unsworth praised the heroism of the firefighters. (ABC News)
Firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring houses.
Two firefighters were also injured while battling the blaze, one of whom was electrocuted and the other fell through a weakened floor on the second floor.
Both were taken to hospital for treatment.
Superintendent Unsworth said winter was a “significantly dangerous time” for house fires, with 12 deaths recorded this season.
“We’re really urging the whole local community to get involved when it comes to our fire safety messages,” he said.
“It’s absolutely critical.”
Emergency crews arrived to find a “very heavy house fire.” (ABC News)
Detective Chief Inspector Alyson Fenwick said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
“This is a traumatic situation that has occurred and them [the family] will have a lot of support,” he said.
Chief Inspector Fenwick appealed for anyone with information about the fire to contact Crime Stoppers.
Superintendent Unsworth said it was likely the building had a smoke alarm and whether or not it was working would be part of the investigation.