Vic: Man dead in house fire
02 Dec 2008 8:26 AM
Eds: Reissuing to change hospital woman was taken to based on advice from Ambulance Victoria.
MELBOURNE, Dec 2 AAP - An elderly man who returned to a burning house to collect belongings during a house fire in Melbourne's south-east has died.
Local residents alerted crews to the blaze at the single storey brick unit in Wanda Street, Mulgrave about 3.30am (AEDT) Tuesday where the dead man was found inside.
Commander Darren Davies of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) said the elderly man had vacated the house but returned to save belongings, including suitcases containing clothing.
"There were no smoke alarms present in the unit but the most important thing in this fire is the occupants were out of the building and they've gone back in," he said.
He said the tragedy could have easily been avoided.
"When you have a fire evacuate the premises and under no circumstances should you return into that premises - wait for the fire brigade to arrive.
"It isn't worth your life to re-enter a burning building."
An elderly woman found in the unit was treated for smoke inhalation and transported to the Monash Medical Centre.
Arson Squad detectives and MFB fire investigators are investigating the fire but it is not thought to be suspicious, Commander Davies said.
