How hero teenagers saved a terrified family-of-five from a raging house fire

A pair of teenage mates have saved a family-of-five from a raging house fire while on their way home from a night out. 

Andrew Puttifant and Daniel Otway, both 18, were catching a ride home in the Penrith Panthers courtesy bus at 2am when they passed the Ridgetop Drive home in Glenmore Park, west of Sydney, on Saturday night. 

The fire was already raging when the vehicle passed the property, 9 News reported. 

Andrew Puttifant (left) and Daniel Otway (right), both 18, were catching a ride home in the Penrith Panthers courtesy bus at 2am when they passed the Ridgetop Drive home in Glenmore Park, west of Sydney, on Saturday night

‘We all just ran at the house and started banging and screaming ‘get out of the house,’ Mr Otway said. 

Aida Rayco was asleep inside the home with her husband, niece, son and pregnant daughter-in-law when the blaze started.

None of them were awoken by the smoke or fire, but instead were startled by the teens banging on their walls. 

Aida Rayco said her husband believed they were victims of a home invasion and ran to the kitchen to arm himself with a knife.  

Once the family realised the danger they were really in, all five members were able to escape the house safely.  

‘To me they are heroes and thank God we’re alive,’ Mrs Rayco said. 

Mr Otway said he liked the sound of being called a hero, but he was just doing what came naturally to him. 

‘I like the sound of being called a hero people usually just look at me differently. But I’m always a nice person,’ he said.

Investigators are yet to determine the cause of the fire but they did tell 9 News it appeared to have started in the garage, possibly from an old car or fridge. 

‘To me they are heroes and thank God we’re alive,’ Mrs Rayco (pictured) said