Advice from ex-fire brigade grandpa helped save 9yo from blaze

Christian’s mother said her son “really showed he listened” to his grandpa, whose expertise helped save the nine-year-old from a terrifying house fire.

A nine-year-old Sydney boy escaped a terrifying house fire thanks to the lessons he learnt from his ex-fire brigade grandfather, smashing a window with a metal pole.

Christian Daubney was inside his family’s Rodley Ave townhouse in Penrith after his mother, Chelsea Daubney, ducked out with his two-year-old sister to grab dinner supplies on the evening of June 10.

A fire quickly broke out and tore through the two-storey home, during which the nine-year-old managed to smash a front window with a metal pole and call for help from a passer-by.

Chelsea Daubney said her son's actions 'really showed he listened' to his grandfather. Picture: Today

The nine-year-old was treated for cuts in hospital. Picture: 9 News

Later taken to hospital with a cut on his foot, Christian was “going really well”, Chelsea said in part thanks to the outpouring of support from Penrith’s “beautiful community”.

The nine-year-old was also aware of what to do in such an emergency thanks to his grandfather’s expertise.

“Christian’s grandfather worked in the fire brigade and always taught myself and my kids about (fire safety) when there is a fire in the house,” she said on Today.

“He really showed he listened to my dad – he said he got down low, covered his mouth and smashed the window when he couldn’t get through the door.”

He was left at home alone when the fire broke out. Picture: Facebook

It took 30 firefighters and eight trucks to put the blaze out. Picture: Facebook

Ms Daubney had locked the front door after she left, “thinking he would be safe inside”, forgetting a candle was still lit.

Though fire investigators are yet to formally determine the cause of the blaze, Christian reportedly told his mum that he knocked the candle over after she left.

Around 10 minutes later, Ms Daubney returned to find the family home ablaze.

It was completely destroyed by the fire.

Fire and Rescue said a new truck with aerial access was used to help put out the blaze. Picture: Facebook

The boy was taken to hospital. Picture: Facebook

Paramedics treated Christian for cuts before he was taken to Nepean Hospital, where he has reportedly been enjoying ice cream in bed.

On Monday morning Ms Daubney also thanked the community and the passing local who helped save her son.

“I don’t know what I would do without my children … I am so thankful and so is he,” she said.

Christian's mum Chelsea had taken her two-year-old daughter to the shops with her before the blaze started. Picture: 9 News

While the family is relieved to be together, their “first steps” will involve finding a new home as they begin to rebuild after losing everything.

“We’ve been inundated with so many donations and people reaching out, family and friends, everyone’s just been so great,” she said.

“It’s such a beautiful community in Penrith.

“Absolutely everyone (has reached out).”