Mornington Peninsula Shire workers praised for dramatic rescue of residents from burning house
Passers by are being praised for the dramatic rescue of an elderly woman and her son from a burning house on the Mornington Peninsula.
South East
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Fireys are heaping praise on a pair of council workers who used their own ladder to save two people from a burning house on the Mornington Peninsula.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said the Mornington Peninsula Shire workers saw an elderly woman and a man trapped with their dog on the front deck of the McCrae property about 3pm on Monday.
Rosebud FRV senior station officer Niel Schlipalius said the workers stopped and used a ladder from their vehicle to help rescue the stranded trio.
“They were there before fire crews arrived and it was a remarkable effort for them to step in like that,” Mr Schlipalius said.
“We’ll be writing a letter to the shire to make sure they are aware of their workers’ bravery.”
Mr Schlipalius said the blaze, which was to the back of the property, had prevented the property owner and her adult son from escaping via stairs.
“It was a significant fire and caused a fair bit of damage,” he said.
“Our crews are to be commended for preventing it spreading to neighbouring properties.
“It was an anxious time for those living alongside.”
The fire was finally brought under control by crews of six trucks including FRV members from Rosebud and Mornington and CFA members from Rosebud, Mornington and Dromana.
FRV investigators were at the property late on Monday.
The fire was not considered suspicious but its cause was unknown, Mr Schlipalius said.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said one person was taken to hospital for observation.
It is understood the person was the elderly woman who owned the property.
When Leader visited the property on Monday both the woman and her son were present.
Neither wanted to comment on the emergency.
