FRV Firefighters pull two occupants, including a child from apartment fire in Fitzroy North

The initial crews arrived on scene within four minutes and wearing breathing apparatus entered an apartment to search for a young child.

Firefighters from Northcote and Brunswick Fire Stations entered the unit and found a child underneath a bed.
 

They then carried the child outside and transferred him into an awaiting ambulance and assisted Ambulance Victoria paramedics with emergency CPR.

Ambulance Victoria paramedics then transported the child to hospital.

While this was occurring, FRV crews from the same stations rescued another adult from a neighbouring apartment on the same level that had become filled with smoke.

Firefighters said the man was hanging out the window ledge before they brought him down to ground level using a 9m ladder.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Costa Katsikis attended the scene and praised the efforts and quick actions of responding crews.
 

“The work our firefighters did here today was outstanding, and they should be proud of their efforts,” ACFO Katsikis said.
 

“They put their training into action and I commend them on their excellent response,” ACFO Katsikis said.

Crews were alerted to the blaze after multiple Triple Zero (000) calls cited thick smoke issuing from the top floor of a block of units.

The fire was declared under control after 20 minutes of the first appliance arriving on scene.

The cause of the fire is being investigated, and FRV’s specialist Fire Investigation and Analysis Unit will attend the scene.

At the height of the incident there were approximately 35 firefighters on scene, and seven firefighting appliances in addition to four other command and support units.
 

Occupants of 12 other units safely evacuated from the block of apartments.

Please contact Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria for further details.