Passer-by saves woman from fire

A passer-by rescued a grandmother from her burning home before it was destroyed by fire in Katanning last Thursday.

Katanning Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service captain Trevor Watson said the man had likely saved the woman’s life.

“The house was fully involved when we got here, so he’s done an awesome job,” he said.

“Our thing is, don’t go back in but with human nature, people will do what they choose to do at the time.

“He did what he thought he should do and he did an excellent job — he got her out.”

It is understood the man was on his way to work as a school gardener when he saw the house on fire.

Fire crews were called to the property, on the corner of Charles and Frederick streets, just after 7am but Mr Watson said the house was completely destroyed.

A woman in her 70s, who was pulled out of the fire, and her granddaughter, in her 20s, were taken to Katanning Hospital with smoke inhalation.

The grandmother was later airlifted to Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital for further checks and treatment but has been checked out since.

Neighbour and witness Rose-mary McFarland said she rushed outside when she saw the smoke coming out of the house from across the street.

“When I came outside, they were carrying her (the grandmother) on a stretcher,” she said.

“It was terrible but I think the fire was attended to very well.”

A WA Police spokesman said the cause of the fire was not yet determined but was not deemed to be suspicious.