A 32-year-old man is in critical condition in hospital after being rescued from a burning unit in Windang on Wednesday, November 19. Firefighters arrived to find smoke billowing from the property on Wattle Road around 9:30am, and a bystander alerted crews that someone was trapped inside.
Fire and Rescue NSW Shellharbour Station Officer Simon Barritt said the unit door was locked and smoke was issuing from the home. Crews forced entry and quickly located the man in a shower. They removed him and provided oxygen and first aid until paramedics arrived.
The man was conscious and breathing at the scene. He was taken to Wollongong Hospital, where a spokeswoman said he is in a critical but stable condition. At least three ambulances attended the emergency.
During the incident, a firefighter suffered an electric shock while switching off power. FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed the injury, saying it was not serious. The firefighter, aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital in a stable condition and discharged by early afternoon.
Firefighters extinguished a fire in the kitchen, where they found food alight. The cause of the fire will be investigated by police. It is not yet known if the unit had a working smoke alarm.
Station Officer Barritt praised the quick and professional response of crews, stating they acted swiftly to rescue the man from the smoke-filled environment.
