A dramatic rescue unfolded in the Illawarra suburb of Windang on Wednesday morning after a man was pulled from his smoke-filled unit, while a firefighter was electrocuted during the emergency response.
Emergency Response to Wattle Road Blaze
Fire and Rescue NSW crews rushed to Wattle Road around 9:30am on November 19 after receiving reports of a unit fire. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke billowing from the property and were alerted by a bystander that a man might be trapped inside.
Shellharbour Station Officer Simon Barritt described the scene as crews found the unit door locked with smoke issuing from inside. "The crew gained entry. They did a quick check of the building and they found a man in a shower, they removed that casualty out the front," Officer Barritt said.
Rescue and Medical Treatment
The rescued man, believed to be in his 20s, was conscious and breathing when firefighters located him. Crews immediately provided oxygen and first aid treatment while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
At least three ambulances responded to the emergency, with NSW Ambulance confirming they were treating a male patient for possible smoke inhalation. The quick actions of firefighters likely prevented more serious injuries.
Firefighter Injured During Operation
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry reported that one firefighter suffered an electric shock while switching off power to the property. "That can be problematic so we're just getting him assessed by the paramedics as well. It's nothing serious at this stage," Superintendent Dewberry stated.
Fire investigators determined the blaze originated in the kitchen, where food stuff had caught alight. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by police, and it's not yet known if the unit contained a working smoke alarm.
Station Officer Barritt praised the professional response of all crews involved, noting their quick action in both saving the resident and preventing further damage to the property. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers emergency services personnel face daily while protecting the community.
