Five young children were rescued from a house fire in Queensland, Australia, after a passerby broke through a window and helped remove the children from the burning home.
The fire broke out at a two-story residence in Stanthorpe at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, according to Queensland police.
Five children between the ages of 3 and 5, a 26-year-old woman and an 80-year-old man were inside the house when the fire began.
According to accounts reported by Australian media, a man used a shovel to break through a window, allowing another passerby to enter the home. The person then went up the stairs multiple times and brought each of the five children outside.
Neighbor Helped Contain the Fire
The fire reportedly began in the home’s stairwell, making the central part of the house particularly dangerous.
Firefighters had to dismantle part of the roof while working to extinguish the blaze, Queensland Fire and Rescue said, according to reports.
A nearby resident also used a garden hose to help contain the fire.
Brett Gehrke of Queensland Fire and Rescue said the neighbor’s quick response helped keep the fire contained to the central staircase.
The rescue effort came as flames spread through the home’s central area.
Children Taken to Hospital
Paramedics treated the five children at the scene before taking them to Stanthorpe Hospital.
Queensland police told PEOPLE that the children did not suffer physical injuries.
The 26-year-old woman, who Australian media reports identified as the children’s mother, suffered an arm injury and was treated for smoke inhalation.
The 80-year-old man was also taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
One of those injured was later airlifted to a hospital in Brisbane for additional treatment, according to 7News.
One Resident Escaped From the Second Floor
A resident reportedly had to jump from the second story of the house during the fire.
Rev. Peter Evans, who spoke to local media about the incident, described the residents as extremely fortunate to have escaped.
Evans also praised the unidentified passerby who entered the burning home to rescue the children.
“We’d love to find him and thank him for what he did,” Evans said, according to reports.
The rescuer’s identity had not been publicly confirmed in the information available for this report.
Fire Treated as Non-Suspicious
Queensland police said the fire is being treated as non-suspicious, while investigators continue working to determine its cause.
Authorities have not announced a definitive cause based on the information provided.
The incident remains under investigation.
Why the Rescue Matters
The Stanthorpe fire illustrates how quickly a residential fire can become dangerous, particularly when flames involve a staircase that serves as an escape route from an upper floor.
The actions of the unidentified passerby, along with assistance from a neighbor and emergency responders, helped get the five children out of the building.
While the children were not physically injured, authorities said several people required medical treatment following the fire.
What’s Next
Queensland police and fire investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Additional information about the cause of the fire, the condition of those hospitalized and the identity of the people who helped with the rescue may be released as the investigation progresses.
This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.
