Woman rescued from home blaze

POLICE have taken over the investigation of a house fire yesterday where a 57-year-old woman barely escaped with her life.

Fire crews were called to the property at Mayfield, in Launceston, just after 2.30am yesterday.

When they arrived, the house was “fully involved” in fire and a neighbour told firefighters there may have been someone still inside.

A TFS statement said the crews were hampered by intense flames, fallen power lines and falling roof tiles.

There were also concerns the house contained asbestos.

Launceston station officer Ben Wilson said once inside the house firefighters heard a woman yelling for help.

At the back of the house they found the woman in a bedroom.

“The fire was too intense to bring her back through to the front door where the fire was, so they put her out a window,” Mr Wilson said.

“That person is very lucky to be alive given the intensity of the fire and the damage done to the house.”

The woman was treated by Ambulance Tasmania and taken to Launceston General Hospital for treatment. She is in a stable condition. Four crews — comprising 16 firefighters — from Launceston and Rocherlea fire brigades attended the blaze.

Mr Wilson congratulated the crew that first responded and said saving the woman’s life was a “great outcome”. “Good on them,” he said. “I guess it is a bit of a rare event, but that’s our job. That’s what we’re trained for.”

Damage was estimated $250,000.

Tasmania Police said a 24year-old man who did not live at the property was also in the house when the fire started.

He was also treated by paramedics at the scene.

Police were yet to determine whether the fire started under suspicious circumstances.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000. at