Sleeping housemates saved in dramatic rescue after Cannonvale unit catches fire

Neighbours forced their way into a home to help save a man and woman from a Cannonvale unit on fire.

Two housemates were treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Proserpine Hospital in a serious condition following a unit fire at Cannonvale. Photo: Kirra Grimes

UPDATE: Neighbours used fire extinguishers to bravely force their way into a fiery Cannonvale unit to rescue housemates who had been asleep when a blaze took hold of the first floor home.

A man in his 40s and woman in her 30s were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns and taken to Proserpine Hospital in a serious condition from the fire, which broke out about 6.20am Sunday.

The man was flown to Mackay for further treatment and is now in a stable condition.

A resident of the Deloraine Court unit complex, who did not want to be named, today said the housemates had been asleep when the blaze began.

“It’s a wonder they lived through it,” he said.

Five people including a security guard, who also lived at the complex, broke into the unit via the balcony windows “to save them”.

“They were trying to use the fire extinguishers to smash the windows and get in off the balcony,” he said.

“The whole wall was alight in the house,” he said, adding he saw flames from “floor to ceiling”.

“We all thought we were going to lose our vehicles.”

He praised the neighbours’ brave actions.

“If it weren’t for the residents, they wouldn’t be here,” he said.

“The guys here need a pat on the back.

“They should all have six months rent free.”

Four men and one woman, aged 20s to 40s, were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation in a stable condition.

Proserpine Hospital staff treated seven patients for smoke inhalation and minor burns from the apartment fire.

Royal Flying Doctor Service flew a 47-year-old man to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.

Other patients assessed but not admitted to hospital were two women aged 31 and 34, and four men aged 24, 33, 48 and 29.

Multiple units within the complex were impacted by smoke as a result of the blaze that two fire crews extinguished by 7.20am.

“Jesus there was some smoke,” the resident said.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

A crime scene was declared and the fire in being investigated. Photo: Kirra Grimes

EARLIER: Two people were taken to hospital in a serious condition following a unit fire at Cannonvale.

The property was well alight with fire crews arrived about 6.40am Sunday.

Paramedics treated seven people in total for smoke inhalation after a fire was reported at the Deloraine Close home.

A man in his 40s and woman in her 30s were taken to Proserpine Hospital in a serious condition.

Five others, a man in his 40s, a man and woman in their 30s and two men in their 20s, were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Police have established a crime scene at the location as investigations are under way.

A QFES investigator and police scene of crime are expected to arrive today to inspect the scene.

Two fire crews in breathing apparatus responded to the fire, which was extinguished about 7.20am.