Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators are now at the scene of a house fire, which has claimed the lives of two people in Sydney's south-west.
Neighbors phoned Triple-Zero (000) around 6:45 am as the property in Lily Street, Wetherill Park became engulfed in flames and their own attempts to rescue the occupants proved unsuccessful.
FRNSW immediately deployed 24 firefighters and six fire trucks.
Fire crews
When fire crews arrived on-scene, they used tools to force their way into the home
When fire crews arrived on-scene, they used tools to force their way into the home and located a 81-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman inside.
The firefighters carried the woman outside and applied CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived, however the couple was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two neighbors suffered smoke inhalation in their unsuccessful attempts to reach the couple. One of the men has been taken to hospital for assessment.
Extinguishing the blaze
That is one more life lost compared to the same six-week period last year
Firefighters kept attacking the flames, extinguishing the blaze around 9:30am. Experts from FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) are now working with NSW Police to determine where and how the fire started.
This incident brings to six the total number of people killed in residential fires across NSW so far this winter.
That is one more life lost compared to the same six-week period last year. A record 16 people died in residential fires across the state last winter.
Electric blankets
As cooler conditions set in, FRNSW is again urging everyone to consider how they can protect themselves against the risks of fire in their own homes.
Always keep materials at least a meter from any heater, ensure electric blankets are not compromised and maintain working, connected smoke alarms.
