By CASEY NEILL
TWO police saved a neighbouring family from a fire threatening their Dandenong home on Tuesday afternoon – only for the blaze to reignite and destroy the house 12 hours later.
Dandenong Tasking Unit Senior Constables Chris O’Halloran and David Clarke were in Belfort Street about 3pm on 14 January when they first spotted smoke.
“We drove down there and saw number 20 pretty much fully ablaze,” he said.
“We were both shocked it hadn’t been called through already.
“The house was completely up – you’d think one of the neighbours would have seen it.”
The officers found no sign anyone was inside the house so moved next door to number 18, where the flames were spreading to a fence and carport.
Sen Const O’Halloran and his offsider banged on the door and were about to smash a window when a woman answered, holding a two-year-old child.
“We asked if anyone else was inside,” he said.
“Initially she said ‘no’, then remembered her husband was in the shower.
“He threw a pair of shorts on and came outside.”
The officers then kicked in the door at number 20 to ensure no one was trapped.
“The fire was coming up both sides of the house,” Sen Const O’Halloran said.
CFA crews arrived within about 10 minutes and extinguished the flames dangerously close to igniting a car parked in the burning carport.
“It took them an hour to put out number 20,” Sen Const O’Halloran said.
The fire had burnt the home to the ground.
“That area’s been evacuated because that house was apparently full of asbestos,” he said.
“A crime scene guard was put on overnight because the fire was deemed suspicious.”
But the danger wasn’t over.
About 3am the guard noticed smoke coming from number 18. Police believe strong wind carried embers from number 20, and the home was soon completely ablaze.
CFA crews returned to the scene but the home was destroyed.
“The occupants had already been taken away for the night, because the power was cut,” Sen Const O’Halloran said.
“They’ve escaped it twice, really.”
He was humble about suggestions from peers that he and Sen Const Clarke would be nominated for bravery awards.
“We were just in the right spot at the right time, I think,” he said.
Police are still investigating the original fire’s cause.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any information.
