Elderly man fighting for his life after lethal house fire in Sydney

An elderly man is fighting for his life after a fire tore through his house in Sydney’s south on Thursday night. Fire fighters dragged him unconscious from the blaze.

A man is fighting for his life after a fire tore through this home in Sydney's south. Source: Supplied

An elderly man is fighting for his life after a fire tore through his house in Sydney’s south on Thursday night.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at Dobell Rd in Engadine just after 6.30pm on Thursday.

Neighbours reported a man was inside the burning building and fire crews arrived to find flames leaping out the front windows, a NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson said.

Firefighters quickly doused the raging flames and located an unconscious man inside.

The man, believed to be aged in his 70s, was treated at the scene before he was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.

A man is fighting for his life after a fire tore through his home in Sydney's south. Source: FRNSW

Specialist fire investigators and an ignitable liquid detection dog attended the scene on Thursday night.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious and firefighters believe the blaze may have been caused by a heater.

It is understood the home was fitted with a working smoke alarm.

Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the first responding officers did a remarkable job.

“The firefighters did a remarkable job, quickly climbing a steep driveway with about 30kg of protective clothing and equipment to fight the fire and reach the occupant,” he said.

“We urge the public to ensure their homes are fitted with working smoke alarms to avoid tragedy this winter.

“Keep flammable materials at least a metre from any heater to prevent a fire.”

Investigations are continuing.