Fitzroy public housing flat fire: dozens evacuated

RESIDENTS have woken to screams and panic after a suspicious inner city high rise fire that critically injured a man. Four other people have been taken to hospital and hundreds of residents evacuated.

RESIDENTS have woken to screams and panic after a suspicious inner city high rise fire that critically injured a man.

More than 200 residents from multiple floors of the Napier St public housing building have been evacuated.

Ambulance Victoria says five people have been taken to hospital, including a man in a critical condition.

A firefighter suffering smoke inhalation is one those taken to hospital.

The fire is believed to have started after a mattress was set alight shortly before 5am.

When fire crews arrived they rushed to the sixth floor to find a bed on fire.

The fire has been deemed suspicious and police are investigating.

Police and emergency crews remain at the commission flats in Fitzroy after a mattress was set alight. 200 residents evacuated @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/8bWgzIf6X3

— Cassie Zervos (@cassiezervos) March 28, 2017

Residents in this #Fitzroy commission block told won't be able to enter for a few hours after fire on 6th floor. Cause unknown #7newsmelb pic.twitter.com/ZpSAcc3vK8

— Teegan Dolling (@tdolling) March 28, 2017

The blaze was quickly contained but all residents living in the housing block were evacuated to Fitzroy Town Hall.

MFB spokesman said despite the fire being out, the situation is not yet under control due to the smoke and a community warning has been issued.

More than 30 police officers and paramedics remain at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing and MFB crews will remain on scene throughout the morning.

Resident Ranko Cosic said he woke up to panic and people screaming.

“I’m on the third level so I went outside to see what was going on, there was a lot of people screaming and yelling,” Mr Cosic said.

“To be honest, it’s not that unusual to hear people yell so I just went back inside.”

Commission flats on Napier St Fitzroy evacuated due to a fire. Residents heard explosions, believed to be on level 6. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/E4HJqCwLvN

— Pat Mitchell (@patty_mitchell) March 28, 2017

But moments later Mr Cosic heard “siren after siren” and began to smell smoke.

“I went back to see what was going on and that’s when I saw a lot of people panicking,” he said.

“I’ve lived here for 15 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. People were quite distraught and upset.”

Ambulance Victoria Health Commander Susie Dean said one man was in critical condition.

“A man has serious burns to the face, arms and back as a result of the fire,” Ms Dean said.

“Paramedics treated his burns and managed his pain and he was taken to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.”

Ambulance crews took two men to hospital with smoke inhalation.

Two women with existing medical conditions were also taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Authorities earlier issued an Advice message for Fitzroy, Carlton, Collingwood, East Melbourne and the city.

It warned smoke may be visible in the area.

Anyone needing medical advice for exposure to smoke is urged to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call 000.