A woman in her 70s is in hospital with serious injuries after a house fire tore through her Hoddles Creek home on Saturday night, 2 August.
Emergency services were called to Grover Road at 9.31pm, with Hoddles Creek CFA first on scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found the single-storey weatherboard house fully engulfed in flames.
Hoddles Creek CFA first lieutenant Brett Kerford said the fire was already well established when they arrived.
“As we came along Grover Road and around the bend, we could see the red glow coming from the house,” Mr Kerford said.
“We saw a small car in the gutter at the neighbour’s driveway, and a man waving us on. When we reached the property, the house was completely involved. We got off the trucks and started to attack the fire, but unfortunately, at that point there wasn’t much chance of saving anything.”
In total, nine CFA units attended the scene.
Hoddles Creek CFA was supported on scene by crews from Yellingbo, Gembrook, Hillcrest, and Little Yarra (Gladysdale) CFAs, as well as Emerald SES and Victoria Police.
At 10.17pm, Bayswater BA was paged to support Hoddles Creek CFA with breathing apparatus logistics, while on scene, their team filled 20 air cylinders to support firefighters working in hazardous conditions.
Mr Kerford said the resident had escaped the home before firefighters arrived, suffering burns and smoke inhalation while attempting to contain the fire herself.
She managed to reach a neighbour, who called Triple Zero.
“It appears she tried to do something about it, but by then the fire had taken hold,” he said.
“Her injuries and smoke inhalation were likely sustained in the process.”
Ambulance Victoria dispatched two Advanced Life Support (ALS) units, one Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA), and an Air Ambulance to the scene.
The woman was airlifted in a serious condition to Angliss Public Hospital.
Victoria Police said the 70-year-old made her way to the neighbour’s property before emergency services were alerted at around 9.40pm.
Detectives and an arson chemist were expected to attend the scene on Sunday.
The fire was brought under control at 10.15pm and declared safe by 11.25pm, with crews remaining on site until 2am.
Mr Kerford said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but early signs point to a wood heater.
“There’s nothing suspicious, it appears to be an accident. Whether the door wasn’t closed properly or something else occurred, it looks like the fire originated from the Canara,” he said.
Mr Kerford said the loss of two pet puppies in the blaze made the tragedy even harder.
“Losing pets is nearly as bad as losing a person,” he said.
“She’s lost her home, likely 95 per cent of her belongings, and now her dogs, which were like family to her, it’s really heartbreaking.”
He also commended the quick-thinking actions of the neighbour and the broader community.
“The neighbours did a brilliant job, raising the alarm, helping her, and even supporting her afterwards,” Mr Kerford said.
“They buried the puppies the next day. That kind of compassion in a time of crisis means the world.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
