Punchbowl unit fire: Woman jumps from balcony to escape blaze

A woman has broken her leg after jumping from a balcony to escape a fire in Sydney’s southwest, with two dogs treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. Watch the dramatic rescue

A woman has jumped out of a burning building in a desperate bid to avoid the flames, breaking her leg in the process.

The unit fire ⁠ — on Victoria Rd, Punchbowl ⁠ — took place just before 8am with ambulance crews and six fire trucks rushing to the scene.
When they arrived, they found the woman in pain and the unit completely ablaze. She was treated for burns at the scene before being transported to hospital.

NSW Ambulance inspector Andrew Cullen said given the situation emergency crews arrived to, the woman was incredibly lucky to be alive.

Two dogs needed to be rescued, which were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, using oxygen tanks from the fire truck.

The aftermath of the unit fire in Punchbowl. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

A woman has escaped a burning unit in Punchbowl by jumping off this balcony, breaking her leg in the process. July 14, 2022. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

They have since been taken to a vet for further treatment.

Fire and Rescue NSW investigators suspect a heater, possibly left too close to furniture and drying clothes, was responsible for the blaze.

A woman has escaped a burning unit in Punchbowl by jumping off her balcony, breaking her leg in the process. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

Neighbours, living on the level above, were alerted by smoke alarms in their unit and made it to safety, according to Fire and Rescue NSW.

The firefighting body said it has attended more than 400 residential fires already this winter, and requests people create an escape plan in the event of a fire in your home.

A spokesman for Fire and Rescue NSW said: “Make sure your home is fitted with working smoke alarms and it‘s crucial that you always keep material a metre from the heater.”