Neighbours tried to save elderly couple found dead after house fire

Despite the efforts of firefighters and two brave neighbours, who tried to save the pair, an elderly man and woman died in the blaze.

Two elderly people have died in a house fire in Sydney’s western suburbs despite the best efforts of firefighters and two heroic neighbours who tried to reach the couple.

Emergency services were called to the Wetherill Park home at 6.45am on Wednesday after receiving reports of a fire.

Six fire trucks and 24 firefighters attended the scene on Lily St, finding the home “engulfed in flames” upon their arrival.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said two male neighbours called triple-000 after they tried themselves to save the elderly couple.

Twenty-four firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy piper

The home was ‘severely damaged’. Picture: Today

“Two neighbours suffered smoke inhalation in their unsuccessful attempts to reach the couple,” FRNSW said.

One of the pair was taken to Liverpool Hospital for assessment.

After arriving at the scene, firefighters forced their way into the home with tools and discovered the 85-year-old man and the 75-year-old woman inside.

“The firefighters carried the woman outside and applied CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived; however, the couple was pronounced dead at the scene,” FRNSW said.

The blaze was brought under control by 7.10am and extinguished by 9.30am.

The fire was extinguished by 9.30am. Picture: FRNSW

Two elderly people were found dead inside the house. Picture: FRNSW

The home was “severely damaged” during the blaze; however, no other properties were affected.

Experts from FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit have joined officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command at the crime scene.

An investigation to determine where and how the fire started is ongoing while forensic examination of the property is underway.

The incident brings the total number of deaths in residential fires in NSW this winter to six.

FRNSW has urged residents to consider how they can protect themselves from fires in the home as cooler conditions set in across the state.