Dramatic moment heroic officer pulls woman from ‘suspicious’ unit fire in Townsville, Qld

A manhunt is under way after a woman’s life was dramatically saved after she became trapped inside a burning unit, which police have declared ‘suspicious’.

A manhunt is still under way after police saved the life of a woman who was trapped in a unit which caught fire, with officers smashing down walls in the burning building in order to rescue her.

Emergency services were called to a unit on Percy St in Townsville’s West End shortly after 9pm after reports a number of units were on fire.

By the time police arrived, the fire had spread to a second unit, where a woman, 54, was living.

Police have released terrifying footage of the moment they discovered a woman trapped inside a burning unit in Townsville. Picture: QLD Police

In wild footage released by Queensland Police, the woman can be heard screaming as the fire engulfs her property, leaving her trapped inside.

“I just had someone screaming in here,” an officer says in the terrifying footage.

One begins kicking the door to the unit, but when it fails to give way another officer to launches his body at the side of the wall, knocking it down.

The woman was trapped inside as flames engulfed the property. Picture: QLD Police

The woman can be heard yelling as police throw garbage bins out of the way.

Officers cough and splutter as they tried to gain entry, with one saying they “can’t breathe” as smoke fills the property.

Police smashed down the walls to get inside. Picture: QLD Police

Some officers could be heard saying they couldn’t breathe. Picture: QLD Police

Officers can be heard shouting: “Where are you, dear?” and “Follow me!”

The woman was safely escorted from the unit by police.

She suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Townsville University Hospital for treatment.

The officers also sustained minor smoke inhalation and were treated at Townsville University Hospital.

They have since been discharged.

The woman was safely rescued from the flames. Picture: QLD Police

“The cause of the fire is under investigation,” Queensland Police said in a statement, who are classifying it as “suspicious”.

Police are continuing their investigation into the fire, with a manhunt under way to find the alleged offender.

Anyone with information or footage of the fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Dramatic moment heroic officer pulls woman from ‘suspicious’ unit fire in Townsville, Qld