Quick-thinking Penrith boy escapes house fire after candle causes blaze

A quick-thinking nine-year-old was able to escape from his burning home in Sydney’s west over the weekend after he was left at home alone with a candle.

The Penrith townhouse was destroyed in the fire. Picture: Adam Yip

An emotional grandmother says if it wasn’t for grandad’s safety lessons, her young grandson would not have made it out of his burning house alive.

But a quick-thinking Christian Daubney, 9, had been taught what to do if fire took hold - which it did at his family’s Penrith townhouse on Saturday, while he was home alone.

The young boy’s mother Chelsea Daubney had ducked up the road to collect takeaway chicken for dinner, and left Christian at home by himself for “just nine minutes”.

But was long enough for fire to engulf the Rodley Ave home, completely destroying it and everything the family owned.

“It was a candle on a coffee table and he (Christian) accidentally knocked it over, and you know, the cheap carpet, it goes up really fast,” grandmother Michelle said.

Chelsea Daubney and her son Christian, 9.

Despite his fear, Michelle, who asked that her surname not be used, said a panicked but clever Christian remembered his safety lesson and smashed the TV room window to flee the house.

A passer-by who saw him climbing out the window, surrounded by smoke, jumped in to help pull Christian to safety.

“It is devastating. She went around the corner to pick up food for dinner. She was gone for nine minutes,” Michelle said.

The Penrith home was destroyed by the fire. Picture: Adam Yip

Chelsea and Christian, who turns 10 in a fortnight, lost everything they own in the blaze which took several hours for fire crews to put out.

“He apologised to me for all his toys that I gave him for Christmas being burnt and I said it’s okay your birthday is in two weeks and I was very emotional. It’s just a shock,” Michelle said.

On social media, Chelsea’s sister Laura Van Woudenberg warned others never to leave a burning candle unattended.

“My sister’s house burnt down this afternoon. Thankfully everyone is safe, make sure you blow out your candles,” she wrote.

The boy was home alone for less than 10 minutes when the fire broke out. Picture: Adam Yip

Emergency crews were called to the townhouse at about 6.15pm, and found the home completely alight.

Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman Adam Dewberry said the accident was a timely reminder about not leaving open flames unsupervised.

“It doesn’t take long for a fire to take hold in a home,” Superintendent Dewberry said.

“If you are using a candle, it’s so simple for a fire to ignite and take hold.”

Michelle said Christian was recovering on Sunday at his dad’s house, with some minor injuries to his foot.

“He’s very apologetic...but he’s doing well,” she said.