A woman is fighting for life after being pulled from her burning home along with her two dogs as the Arson and Explosives Squad investigates the blaze.
The 52-year-old was saved by firefighters after a Good Samaritan kicked in the window of her unit in West Footscray, Melbourne, shortly after 7.15pm on Thursday.
She was taken to hospital in a critical condition with burns to 40 per cent of her body after being rescued and revived in the driveway.
A woman is fighting for life after being pulled from her burning home along with her two dogs as the Arson and Explosives Squad investigates the blaze (pictured)
The 52-year-old was saved by firefighters after Good Samaritan kicked in the window of her unit (pictured) in West Footscray, Melbourne, shortly after 7.50pm on Thursday
The heroic passer-by suffered a deep cut to one of his legs, and witnesses said he told arriving firefighters to leave him and save the woman, The Herald Sun reported.
Robert Pitter, 62, directed emergency services into the home despite bleeding heavily from his wounds, 19-year-old university student Samuel Kerr said.
As Mr Kerr treated Mr Pitter’s leg laceration, an elderly couple who live next to the home used desperately tried to extinguish the flames with their garden hose.
She was taken to hospital in a critical condition with burns to 40 per cent of her body after being rescued and revived in the driveway (pictured)
Another neighbour, Rochelle Jones, fed and looked after the rescued dogs, one of which suffered a broken leg trying to escape, Nine News reported.
Mr Kerr said Mr Pitter put his own life at risk in trying to save the woman, describing the rescue attempt as a ‘selfless act’.
‘It’s very heroic and honourable to put himself at risk while trying to save a woman,’ he said.
‘It’s just West Footscray, it’s one of those suburbs where it’s such a community … he was telling the firies “leave me, leave me”, he didn’t want any help, he’s just a Good Samaritian.’
The Arson and Explosives Squad returned to the scene on Friday to investigate the cause of the fire (pictured)
More than 20 firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control by 7.40pm, assisted by an aerial unit.
The Arson and Explosives Squad returned to the scene on Friday to investigate the cause of the fire.
‘At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the fire incident are unknown and we are continuing our investigation into the incident,’ said Detective Senior Constable Di Dale.
They captured aerial photos using a drone and examined the property for forensic evidence.
Mr Pitter was taken to Footscray Hospital by Mr Kerr after the incident, and the two dogs were taken to an animal hospital.
Detective Senior Constable Di Dale of the Arson and Explosive Squad speaks to the media at the scene of a house fire