Off-duty police officer saves disabled Somerville man from house fire
A HERO off-duty police officer rescued a disabled man who thought he would die as he crawled across the floor towards the front door as fire engulfed his Mornington Peninsula home.
South East
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DISABLED man Greg Hehir thought he would die as he crawled across the floor towards the front door as fire engulfed his kitchen.
The 60-year-old had fallen asleep in his wheelchair while oil boiled on the stove.
He woke about 3.40pm — just over an hour after he started cooking — to the sound of crackling and tiles smashing; his Rex Court, Somerville, home filled with smoke and flames.
He tried to reverse his wheelchair and crashed into a table, falling to the floor — possibly his saving grace, as he ended up below the heavy smoke.
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As he painstakingly inched towards escape, an off-duty police officer burst through the front door and carried Mr Hehir to safety.
“Another minute and I would have been gone because the flames were right behind me,” Mr Hehir told the Leader.
Dandenong police officer Darren, whose identity the Leader has protected, just happened to be driving past when he saw the smoke coming from the roof.
“As soon as I knocked on the door I heard a voice call for help from inside the house,” he said.
He kicked down the locked door and saw a figure through the “house full of smoke”.
“I am extremely relieved no one was harmed in the fire and I’m very glad I was able to help,” he said.
Mr Hehir is “devastated” his house of 18 years was completely destroyed in the June 29 blaze.
He lost everything, including his $500 wheelchair, but he counts himself lucky to still have his life.
The cancer-survivor said Darren was a hero and he’ll be forever grateful for his bravery.
“He didn’t have to do what he did and put his life in danger for me, but he did,” Mr Hehir said.
“I was crawling towards the front door, I got about halfway. That’s when I heard bang, bang, bang and in popped this unbelievable man.
“He just picked me up like a rag doll and said ‘come with me’.”
Mr Hehir, whose right leg is paralysed, said he would love to see his hero recognised for his actions.
Somerville Fire Brigade’s Geoff Gommers said it took 18 firefighters about 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
He said it was a “fantastic” effort by the police officer to get Greg out safely and he had recommended him for a bravery award.
He urged people to be careful when cooking and to make sure their smoke alarms are working.
Last year 131 fires were caused by cooking in the southeast — 85 of them had been left unattended. Across Victoria it was 438, with 274 blazes starting at stoves, ovens and cooktops.
Mr Hehir was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation but didn’t need to be taken to hospital.
His house will be rebuilt, and he has emergency accommodation and a rental property covered by his insurance for up to 12 months.
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