newy.com.au – A child has died and a woman in her 80s has suffered serious burns in a house fire at Swansea.
Emergency services were called to Northcote Avenue, Swansea Heads, just before 1.30pm on Thursday following reports of a fire. Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District arrived to find the house well alight.
About 40 firefighters and 10 fire trucks were deployed as heavy smoke and flames poured from the home and the fire spread to a neighbouring property.
Fire and Rescue NSW said the intensity of the blaze initially prevented crews from entering the burning house.
Police had been told the home was occupied by the woman and two young children. The woman and one child escaped, while the other child was later found inside during a search of the property but could not be revived.
The surviving child is understood to have escaped injury.
The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition with burns. A teenage boy who attempted to enter the burning home was also taken to hospital for treatment of a leg injury.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze but remained at the property late on Thursday afternoon, with roads around the scene closed.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell offered his condolences to the child’s family and the Swansea Heads community.
“Firefighters are trained to deal with the most difficult situations, but incidents involving children are especially confronting,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“Today has placed a tragic spotlight on the dangers of winter house fires and reminded us just how quickly flames can take hold.”
Swansea MP and NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the death had devastated the local community.
“My thoughts are with the family as they face an unimaginable loss, and I am hoping for the recovery of those who remain in hospital,” Ms Catley said.
She thanked police, firefighters, paramedics and members of the public who tried to help at the scene, saying they had demonstrated “extraordinary bravery”.
“I know this is having a profound impact on people locally; we all have heavy hearts,” she said.
Authorities had not released information about the cause of the fire by Thursday evening. The child’s identity had also not been made public.
