Three people die after six evacuated from Sydney house fire
A 10-year-old boy is among three people to die after a tragic house fire early on Sunday. A fourth person is fighting for life.
Three people, including a 10-year-old boy, have died following a tragic early morning house fire in Sydney’s south west.
Six residents, including a child, were evacuated from the home on Rottnest Ave, Hinchinbrook, after it became engulfed in flames just after 5.30am on Sunday.
They were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Two women, one in her 40s and another in her 60s, died at the scene.
A 10-year-old boy was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition, where he later died.
A man in his 40s and woman in her 60s were taken to Concord Hospital, where they remain in a critical condition and stable condition respectively.
A further female, aged in her late 30s, was taken to Liverpool Hospital, where she remains in a stable condition.
Two firefighters were also injured.
One female firefighter was released from hospital after suffering a small electric shock as she entered the blazing home.
A male firefighter was also injured after falling six metres as he tried to gain entry and was in hospital care.
Fire crews used ladders to gain access to the upper level of the two-storey home and pulling a number of people to safety in extreme fire conditions.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Luke Unsworth said firefighters were confronted with an “incredibly intense” blaze.
“Firefighters couldn’t approach the front door because of the radiant heat which was coming out,” he told the Seven Network.
“They have managed to quickly knock down the fire and make entry onto the top floor, which is where they thought most people would be sleeping and they’ve managed to eventuate three rescues.”
“It was a significantly intense fire.”
Officers from Liverpool Police Area Command have established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police.
Superintendent Unsworth said winter was the most dangerous time of year for house fires and urged every home to have a working smoke alarm.
“I’m certainly not saying this premises didn’t have a working smoke alarm, but .. everyone needs to have a working smoke alarm on every level where people sleep,” he said.
“Obviously, we need to watch out for other things like heaters and those other sorts of things.”
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire is underway with the cause yet to be determined.
Reports will be prepared for the Coroner.
Since June 1, there has been 500 house fires in NSW.
Thirteen people have died in house fires so far in NSW this year, nine more than last year’s entire winter season.
Almost half of those fires did not have a working smoke alarm.
Fire and Rescue NSW deputy commissioner Megan Stiffler said it was a “tragic start” to the winter safety campaign.
“The spirits of our crews are rightly devastated,” she said.
“The message you must hear today as you listen to the news is to have a working smoke alarm in your home and save your family.”
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
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