TheeBadOne
Member
A man was last night seriously ill after being rescued from a blazing Darwin apartment by a police officer.
Royal Darwin Hospital said he was ``critical but stable''.
Senior Constable John Walker had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Sen-Constable Walker kicked in a door of the flat in Aralia St, Nightcliff, and helped the man to safety after hearing his shouts for help.
Firefighters said the officer's action had probably saved the man's life.
``The officer and his offsider made a heroic and gallant attempt to get into the unit,'' firefighter Paul Schey said.
``They heard the screams coming from inside and broke down the door.
``It was an incredibly brave thing to do _ three sniffs of that sort of toxic smoke and you're gone.
``A couple more minutes and the occupant could have died.''
Sen-Constable Walker was last night back on the beat. Neighbours reported the fire about 10pm on Wednesday when they saw smoke pouring from the flat.
The fire was caused by an electric pot being left on.
Neighbours yesterday praised the efforts of police and firefighters, who extinguished the blaze before it could spread to other units.
Bob Cartledge, 28, who lives two doors away from the burned-out flat, said he feared his home would be set alight.
``I looked out and saw heaps of smoke billowing out of the flat,'' he said.
``I didn't realise anyone was in there until police carried him out.''
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8069195%5E13569,00.html
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Royal Darwin Hospital said he was ``critical but stable''.
Senior Constable John Walker had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Sen-Constable Walker kicked in a door of the flat in Aralia St, Nightcliff, and helped the man to safety after hearing his shouts for help.
Firefighters said the officer's action had probably saved the man's life.
``The officer and his offsider made a heroic and gallant attempt to get into the unit,'' firefighter Paul Schey said.
``They heard the screams coming from inside and broke down the door.
``It was an incredibly brave thing to do _ three sniffs of that sort of toxic smoke and you're gone.
``A couple more minutes and the occupant could have died.''
Sen-Constable Walker was last night back on the beat. Neighbours reported the fire about 10pm on Wednesday when they saw smoke pouring from the flat.
The fire was caused by an electric pot being left on.
Neighbours yesterday praised the efforts of police and firefighters, who extinguished the blaze before it could spread to other units.
Bob Cartledge, 28, who lives two doors away from the burned-out flat, said he feared his home would be set alight.
``I looked out and saw heaps of smoke billowing out of the flat,'' he said.
``I didn't realise anyone was in there until police carried him out.''
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8069195%5E13569,00.html
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