Queensland man dubbed Gold Coast’s ‘Spider-Man’ after daring escape from house fire

Footage has captured a man’s escape from a burning building, with the feat earning him the title of one city’s “Spider-Man”.

A Queensland man has made a dramatic escape from a battery fire at a unit block, with locals dubbing him the Gold Coast’s “Spider-Man”.

The blaze broke out at the property on Worendo St in Southport before 6am on Tuesday.

Three people were evacuated from the building, including the 40-year-old man who was treated for minor burns to his arm.

He was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition, with the two other not needing assistance.

Neighbour Liam Crean said he heard an explosion before the fire and came outside to see the man dangling from the third-floor balcony.

A Queensland man has made a dramatic escape from a battery fire at a unit block. Picture: 7News

Residents have dubbed the man the Gold Coast’s ‘Spider-Man’ after his daring escape. Picture: 7News

“I was just inside and heard a commotion and thought I would come out, and it was just an inferno. It was crazy,” he told 7News.

“I came out and saw him jumping out the window, I was a bit worried about him.

“He jumped from the top level to the bottom. There must have been a big commotion up there, the whole place was on fire.

“Everyone was speechless, he climbed his way down like Spider-Man.”

Southport Fire Station station officer Brenton Mazey told 7News the fire was fully involved when crews arrived.

He said he believed the fire likely began after the homeowner noticed a lithium-ion e-scooter battery becoming overheated.

Neighbour Liam Crean said he heard an explosion and came outside to see the man dangling from the third-floor balcony.

Not knowing what to do, the homeowner put the batter in the freezer in an attempt to cool it down.

“That actually doesn’t cool it down once it starts (overheating),” Mr Mazey said.

“It will continue (to heat) then explode and catch fire, it’s a really powerful battery, and it causes a really big fire.”

Mr Mazey said it was fortunate the occupants were awake and that the safest thing to do would have been to move it to an open field, dropping it into a pool or on the road.

If the battery is too hot, he said users should not attempt to move it and instead leave the home and call emergency services.

Originally published as Queensland man dubbed Gold Coast’s ‘Spider-Man’ after daring escape from house fire