ELDERLY COUPLE LOSES EVERY THING IN HOUSE FIRE
Elderly couple pulled from blaze by off- duty cop
AN OFF- DUTY police officer has been hailed a hero after racing into a burning house and rescuing an elderly couple. The home in O’Reilly St, Mundingburra, was destroyed in the blaze.
AN off- duty police officer raced into a burning house yesterday to save an elderly couple who lost everything in the inferno.
The fire broke out in O’Reilly St, Mundingburra shortly before 2.30pm yesterday, gutting the home.
Acting Inspector Matt Lyons said the off- duty officer was driving past the house and saw smoke billowing from the home.
“He raced into the house, rescued the female first and escorted her down the stairs to safety,” he said.
“He then returned … and has gone into the house which was still alight and retrieved an 88- year- old male from the rear … and has carried him … out of danger.”
A neighbouring resident who declined to be named said they heard banging noises and a commotion and another neighbour called out there was a fire.
“Of course we all panicked, got outside and we saw a big fire ... already on the house,” she said.
“Only the man and woman got out, no ( possessions), no anything.
“It’s very sad.”
Acting Inspector Lyons described his actions of helping the two residents as “nothing short of heroic”.
“I’m led to believe they were disorientated in the house and without his assistance we may have faced a different scenario,” he said.
“Also the efforts of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service to extinguish the fire are nothing short of amazing.
“They were able to prevent further damage to adjoining houses and extinguish this fire in a timely manner to prevent it spreading.”
The couple, aged 87 and 88, were taken to the Townsville Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and shock.
It is not believed they received any burns from the fire. Early investigations into what may have caused the blaze are under way, with Townsville Criminal Investigation Branch attending the scene to speak to neighbours.
Acting Inspector Lyons said he hoped the Townsville community would help the elderly couple in their time of need.
“I’m sure in previous instances the community has reached out and helped people in such similar circumstances and I see this as no different.
“The local community will band together and help these people, who appear now to have lost everything,” he said.
I AM SURE ... THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WILL BAND TOGETHER AND HELP THESE PEOPLE, WHO APPEAR NOW TO HAVE LOST EVERYTHING. ACTING INSPECTOR MATT LYONS