Woman dies after North Shore townhouse blaze

Firefighters have reissued warnings for households to check their smoke alarms after a woman died after being pulled unconscious from her home.

A woman in her 60s has died after a three-level townhouse caught fire on Sydney’s North Shore, prompting renewed warnings for householders to check their smoke alarms.

The woman was unconscious when firefighters pulled her from the blaze that began on the top level of a unit block on Allister St, Cremorne early on Wednesday morning.

“NSW Ambulance paramedics treated her for critical injuries, however, she died at the scene,” police said.

Fire and Rescue NSW said firefighters were greeted with “thick, black smoke that filled the property from floor to ceiling” when they arrived at the scene.

“Neighbours made it to safety but reported one occupant was unaccounted for,” an FRNSW spokesman said.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the burning home under extreme conditions to locate and extinguish the fire while searching for the missing person.”

. A woman was unable to be revived after being pulled from a burning unit in Cremorne. Picture: NewsWire / Rohan Kelly

Police collect evidence from the scene of the fire. Picture: NewsWire / Rohan Kelly

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said firefighters were forced to battle intense conditions.

“They were faced with very hot smoke, absolutely no visibility and having to feel their way through an unfamiliar residence,” Superintendent Dewberry said.

“I want to acknowledge the exemplary work and efforts of firefighters and paramedics and their attempts to save the resident.”

There were no working smoke detectors in the property.

“This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder: working smoke alarms save lives,” he said.

“Everyone should ensure their home is fitted with a smoke alarm and test it to ensure it’s working.”

Before leaving the scene, firefighters installed smoke alarms in an adjoining townhouse and plan to return to fit alarms in other homes within the complex in coming days.

Police said emergency services were called to the scene about 7.10am before Fire and Rescue workers “removed a woman from the unit”.

“Officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command have established a crime scene and detectives have commenced an investigation into the incident,” police said.

Six trucks and 22 firefighters attended the scene.

The woman has yet to be formally identified by authorities.

Originally published as Woman dies after North Shore townhouse blaze