Pride of Australia: Amanda Weaver nominated for trying to save woman from house fire

WHEN Amanda Weaver passed by a unit that was billowing with smoke, she didn’t hesitate to stop and help.

WHEN Amanda Weaver passed by a unit billowing with smoke, she didn’t hesitate to stop and help.

The off-duty police officer was driving with her cousin Chris, at Semaphore Park, when they risked their lives to try to save the elderly occupant of the home.

Her actions have earned Ms Weaver a nomination for a Pride of Australia Outstanding Bravery award.

“We saw smoke billowing from the unit and it was thick black smoke,” said Ms Weaver, 41, of the October incident.

“I told Chris to call triple-0 and I’ve literally kicked in the front door and I saw a walking frame.

“The neighbours from next door came out said ‘My old lady neighbour is in there — she’s always home’.”

As Chris made his way around the back of the unit, Ms Weaver attempted to go in the front but was pushed back by the flames.

“I went around and smashed out all the bedroom windows and ripped out the curtains to look in and see if anyone was there,” she said.

“Chris then got the back door open and went running into the kitchen with a hose.

“We got all the way into the kitchen and near the lounge room and a big wall of fire just curled over the top of us and we could feel our hair and our arms burning.

“That’s when we realised it was just too hot ... the woman was gone.”

The body of the woman, 71, was later found in the loungeroom despite the brave efforts of Ms Weaver and her cousin.

“You don’t think about it,” Ms Weaver said of running into the fire.

“Once we knew there was an old lady in there we were going to do everything we could to get her out ... we just couldn’t find her.

“We met the family because they wanted to thank us. They were so lovely and we’re just sorry we couldn’t have done more.”