Civilian praised over house fire rescue as balaclava-clad man sought
Updated . First published at
A heroic neighbour helped police rescue an 88-year-old woman from the second-storey balcony of a burning home in what police have described as a suspicious blaze in Sydney’s inner west this morning.
At about 4am, emergency services were called to Weddle Avenue in Abbotsford to find a home well alight.
Four people are in hospital after a house fire in Abbotsford, Sydney, this morning. Nine
An elderly woman was trapped on the balcony, blocked from the stairs by flames.
Police Superintendent Christine McDonald said a number of police, along with a 49-year-old civilian, were able to carry out a rescue by ladder.
“I am incredibly proud of the police and the 49-year-old civilian who rescued that woman,” McDonald said.
“They saved her life.”
The elderly woman’s 65-year-old son, his 53-year-old wife, and a fourth resident, a 44-year-old male long-term renter, all were able to escape the flames.
The 88-year-old, 65-year-old, 53-year-old, and the heroic neighbour were taken to hospital in stable conditions for smoke inhalation treatment.
The 44-year-old man was treated at the scene.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze but the home was destroyed.
The flames spread to a neighbouring home but firefighters were able to contain it.
At one point, 10 engines and 40 firefighters were on the scene.
An investigation has begun into the cause of the fire, which investigators have deemed suspicious.
McDonald said a male wearing a balaclava was confronted by a “brave” neighbour after he was seen using an accelerant to set the home ablaze.
NSW Police Superintendent Christine McDonald at the site of a suspicious house fire in Abbotsford, Sydney. Nine
She was unable to confirm if it was the same local who helped rescue the 88-year-old woman, but remarked that the street was home to “a few brave people”.
The balaclava-wearing man is believed to have driven away from the scene in a red Holden Astra, which police are also looking for.
It’s unknown if the attack was targeted at this stage, but McDonald said so far the occupants of the house did not appear to have any criminal links.
Anybody with CCTV, mobile, or dashcam video, or anybody with information, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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