Woman jumps from second floor unit as fire engulfs complex on Sydney's lower north shore - Neutral Bay
Published: 09 Dec 2022 11:23am
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has extinguished a fire, which has injured two people, including a woman who escaped by leaping onto a mattress from the second floor of a Neutral Bay unit complex.
More than 20 FRNSW firefighters and six fire trucks attacked the blaze, which broke out in a ground floor unit on Military Road, shortly before 5am today.
An occupant in the burning unit suffered injuries but made it outside, while people in neighbouring units evacuated when alerted by smoke alarms.
A woman living on the second floor, above the fire scene, became trapped as flames and smoke began spreading to the common hallway.
Firefighters were told that in a bid to make it to safety, she threw a mattress out the window, getting neighbours to place it on top of bins, before she leapt onto it.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the woman for a resulting serious leg injury, before transporting her to hospital.
FRNSW crews also rescued a pet cat from the burning unit, placing it on oxygen before rushing it to a 24-hour veterinary clinic where it underwent emergency treatment.
Investigators have determined the blaze was likely caused by a spirit burner.
EDITORS NOTE: Additional high-res photos of the aftermath of the fire are available via the FRNSW website.
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:13pm
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
The best way to keep you and your family safe is to prevent fires from occurring and know what to do in case of a fire.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
28 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089
99 Shirley Road, Crows Nest NSW 2065
730 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088