Firefighters have saved a man from a house fire in Sydney’s south-west after breaking the door down to get to him.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) was called to a single-storey home on Barremma Road in Lakemba at 8.30am today after two tradies saw the 36-year-old man leaning out of his window as smoke billowed from the roof.
The man tried to escape by breaking the window but suffered lacerations on his hands, making it hard for him to get out.
Locals had also knocked on the door of the home but did not receive a response.
Firefighters believe he was inside the home for 15 minutes trying to escape.
Six crews, including 22 firefighters, attended the scene, breaking the door down before searching for the occupant while wearing breathing apparatus.
They found the homeowner semi-conscious on the bathroom floor, FRNSW said.
“Pretty lucky escape actually, a miracle, this house isn’t fitted with smoke alarms,” FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.
Firefighters rendered emergency care and removed the man from the home before handing him to paramedics.
He was treated for burns to his airways and was taken to Concord Hospital in a serious condition.
The crew contained the fire, which was burning at the back of the home.
The cause of the fire is not known.
The home was not fitted with a fire alarm, prompting a reminder from FRNSW.
”FRNSW is reminding the public to ensure working smoke alarms are installed in their homes this winter,” they said.
“Firefighters will inspect your home, provide safety advice and fit smoke alarms, free of charge, if necessary.
“Residents can book a home fire safety visit from their local fire crew by visiting the FRNSW website.”