A teenage boy has been charged over a fire that destroyed a home and left three people in hospital.
The 17-year-old was treated by paramedics for burns to his hands and legs at a home in Merrylands in Sydney’s west on Tuesday night before being charged by detectives over the house fire.
Police will allege the teen was the person neighbours spotted pouring accelerant on the home in Weddle Ave in Abbotsford in Sydney’s inner west at 4am before setting it – and inadvertently himself alight – before fleeing in a red Holden Astra.
An 88-year-old woman was rescued from the balcony of the home, with her son, daughter-in-law and another person, suffering from smoke inhalation.
Detectives attached to Strike Force Sweetenham, Burwood Police Area Command and officers from the State Crime Commands Arson Squad arrested the teen at a home on Blackwood Road, Merrylands at 11pm.
After being treated by paramedics, the teen was taken to hospital in a stable condition where he remains under police guard, while police executed a search warrant on his home seizing “a number of items of interest”.
Detectives later charged the teen with damage property by fire / explosion more than $15,000, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and dishonestly obtain property by deception.
He was refused bail and will court today on Wednesday.
Burwood Police Area Commander Superintendent Christine McDonald on Tuesday praised officers and locals who came to the elderly woman’s aid.
“I am incredibly proud of the police and the 49-year-old civilian who rescued that woman,” Supt McDonald said.
“They saved her life.”
One of the officers who rescued the woman had only graduated in August.
“He’s only been a police officer for two months and he scaled a ladder whilst the house was completely alight,” Supt McDonald said.
“The 88-year-old woman would not be alive if it wasn’t for the brave efforts of the 49-year old male and the police officers that were here.”
A woman who lives in the street told the ABC on Tuesday she was woken by the sound of fire tearing through the building, initially believing it was gunfire.
The 88-year-old woman’s son, a 65-year-old man, his 53-year-old wife and a 44-year-old renter were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Police said it was unknown if the fire was targeted, but initial investigations revealed the occupants of the house had no links to criminal activity.
Ten fire trucks and 40 firefighters were called to the blaze about 4am on Tuesday.
Despite firefighters’ efforts, the house was destroyed.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has dashcam or CCTV footage, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.