Hero cop saves couple from blaze

AN OFF-duty police officer has been dubbed a hero after dragging an elderly couple from their burning home early yesterday morning.

Dressed only in Havaianas thongs and a pair of footy shorts, Rescue and Bomb Squad Chief Inspector Brenton Charlton said he had a “gut feeling” something was wrong when he noticed a tiny amount of smoke coming from the home in the Sydney suburb of Tempe, en route to work at about 5.45am.

The fire escalated quickly and by the time he pulled over the entire rear of the singlelevel brick home was engulfed in flames.

He kicked in the door and crawled through the smokefilled house to find a woman aged in her mid-80s, who he carried out with the assistance of two tradies who had also stopped to help.

They then rescued an elderly man who was on fire. Neighbour Mark Baldwin doused the man with a hose. A nurse who was jogging past treated the couple, who were taken to hospital.

Newtown Local Area Commander Superintendent Gavin Wood said Insp Charlton was a hero. “We are fortunate to have police who see trouble, respond and – without a thought for themselves – save lives,” he said.