Three dead across NSW after two fires in three days

The elderly victims of a blaze in Western Sydney have been identified, the second and third victims of house fires in as many days in NSW as authorities investigate the cause of the inferno.

House fires have claimed three lives in three days across NSW, with an elderly Western Sydney couple the latest casualties of a blaze that proved too dangerous for experienced firefighters.

Residents on Armitage Dr in Glendenning were woken by sirens and flashing lights on Friday morning about 4.45am, after a fire broke out in the home of 77-year-old Bahnam Jaji and 74-year-old Nahla Toma.

When firefighters arrived, the home was engulfed in “heavy flames”, with crews forcing their way inside the burning property in a bid to save the couple.

Ms Toma was pulled from a bedroom unconscious and onto the front lawn, where paramedics performed CPR. Sadly she could not be revived.

Crews also searched for Mr Jaji, who was wheelchair-bound, however, the roof began to collapse around them as the fire intensified, forcing them to abandon the search.

A fire investigator at the blaze scene Friday morning. Picture John Grainger

A husband and wife were killed in the inferno. Picture: John Grainger

His body was found some time later after the blaze was extinguished.

“It was a very challenging working environment for our firefighters,” Fire and Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said.

The body of one of the pair was removed from the scene. Picture: John Grainger

“Their immediate commanders have said to me they’ve never seen them work as hard and as tough as they did this morning.

“They really did give it their all, unfortunately, it’s not the outcome we would have liked.”

The couple’s son and nephew arrived at the tragic scene some hours later, with the visibly distraught pair speaking to police for some time.

Neighbours said they often saw Mr Jaji in his wheelchair, with one woman saying they were a “lovely couple”.

The house was badly damaged. Picture: John Grainger

Neighbours watched on at the scene. Picture: John Grainger

“It’s very distressing, we have been crying all morning,” she said.

“It’s very sad news. I was walking here a few days ago and the man was sitting in a wheelchair outside the house,” neighbour Bob Davidovic said.

A faulty refrigerator was found to be the cause of a deadly blaze. Fire and Rescue NSW investigators are forensically examining the fridge’s motor to determine just how it caught fire.

A spokesman for Fire and Rescue NSW begged residents to check their fridges for leaks and faulty seals, and to remove any build-up of dust to lower the risk of similar accidents.

Investigators at the scene. Picture: John Grainger

Deputy Commissioner Fewtrell advised people check heating appliances, too.

“We are really asking people to be safe, not sorry, this winter, to spend a few minutes checking things at home,” he said.

“It can make all the difference to the safety of your family, checking smoke alarms, making sure they are working, developing a home fire escape plan … and also where you would meet outside the property.”

The couple’s death is the third linked to a house fire in just three days, after a woman died in a fire at Razorback on June 1.

Neither of the fires are being treated as suspicious.