By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
BRAVE neighbours saved a Hampton Park man after his home was engulfed in flames.
The 60-year-old man was pulled to safety through a front window as professional and volunteer firefighters from four local stations attended the fierce blaze, on Thursday 7 April.
The man was treated at the scene by firefighters and paramedics and taken to Casey Hospital suffering burns to his limbs.
CFA were alerted to the house fire at an address on Michelle Drive in Hampton Park, about 1.15pm, and it took 15 firefighters more than an hour to extinguish the blaze.
Leading firefighter David Black from Hallam CFA said fire crews managed to control the “intense” blaze, before it damaged neighbouring properties.
“The fire is currently under police investigation and has caused extensive damage to the home, a good 30 to 40 per cent of the house,” Mr Black said.
“The fire was intense for the brigades, the flames were issuing out the front door and front windows of the home and it was a fairly high smoke level.”
Sergeant Kim Staples from the Cranbourne Police Station, who was at the scene, said the fire is not deemed suspicious.
“Arson chemists attended the scene and police are aware of the source of the fire,” Sgt Staples said.
Mr Black said fairy lights which can be seen from the front of the home were not to blame for the fire.
The home owner suffered burns to his arms and upper legs and David Black congratulated the three male neighbours on their efforts to bring him out safely.
“Neighbours did a fantastic job, they put their lives at risk,” Mr Black said.
The homeowner’s labrador was also brought to safety by firefighters.
Firefighters from Hallam, Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Hampton Park attended the scene.
