Ridgehaven man speaks about lifesaving call that saved his neighbours life

Police have praised the efforts of an officer who arrived first to a Ridgehaven house fire and bravely put himself in harm’s way.

Isaiah Staple called 000 when he noticed smoke coming from a house on his street. Picture: Brenton Edwards

A heroic police officer who put his own safety at risk to save a woman from a burning house has been lauded by his superiors.

Police superintendent Julie Thomas commended the hero cop’s bravery in a press conference at Elizabeth on Thursday.

“It was a very brave thing to do and we believe the his actions have saved the life of both people,” she said.

“Police are there to serve the community and keep the community safe and he was the first on scene,

“He believed that this woman was in immediate danger and he took action to effectively save her life.”

The praise comes after the woman’s neighbour said he hoped it would be the the last fire he ever sees, in what has otherwise been a peaceful street.

Isaiah Staple called 000 after smelling smoke coming from his neighbour’s house in Ridgehaven at 6:00pm on Wednesday night.

“I smelt smoke in the house and then I walked out into the backyard and saw some smoke pretty close which was two doors down,” Mr Staple said.

A police officer dragged an unconscious woman from her burning home Wednesday night. Picture: Isaiah Staple

“I investigated straight away because it didn’t seem right and walked out the front and saw the smoke on the roof.

“I went to my next door neighbours and tried to call her to see if anyone was home but had no luck so I called 000.

“It’s a quiet street and everyone usually keeps to themselves so it’s the first and hopefully last fire we’ll have here.”

Mr Staple credits a solo police officer who was one of the first to arrive at the scene on Jordan Street for saving the life of his 53 year old neighbour.

“The undercover police officer came and pretty much saved her life, he kicked the door in and dragged her out,” he said.

“She was in there unconscious and they managed to bring her back with help from a nurse a few doors down.

“She was conscious when she was getting wheeled up to the ambulance and her cat made it out safe too, which was good to see.”

Mr Staple said he went to the house to see if anyone was home before calling 000. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The woman suffered smoke inhalation and burns and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment where she is currently in a stable condition.

Her rescuer was also taken for assessment after suffering smoke inhalation but was discharged on Wednesday evening.

The woman is still at the hospital and currently in a stable condition.

Four trucks attended the scene with 15 firefighters who extinguished the blaze in around 10 minutes.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown with police urging any witnesses who may have taken footage of the fire to come forward.

The fire is currently being treated as unsuspicious.