Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters in Sydney's south have forced their way into a burning unit and dragged a critically injured man to safety.
The ferocious blaze broke out just after 11 am in a bedroom on the first floor of a four-level complex in Hayburn Street, Rockdale. More than 20 firefighters and six fire trucks were deployed to the scene.
FRNSW firefighters
FRNSW firefighters forced their way inside the engulfed unit and rescued an unconscious man
FRNSW firefighters forced their way inside the engulfed unit and rescued an unconscious man, aged in his 70s, immediately placing him into the care of NSW Ambulance crews.
Intensive care paramedics treated him for multiple burns before transporting him to Concord Hospital, where he continues to fight for life.
Two other people were assessed for smoke inhalation, while a firefighter was also treated for minor injuries.
FRNSW crews contain and extinguish the blaze
The building was fitted with a number of working smoke alarms, which alerted other occupants and allowed them to quickly evacuate.
FRNSW crews contained and extinguished the blaze in less than an hour. Experts from FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) will work with NSW Police to determine what sparked the fire.