Quick action by firemen probably saved a man's life in Tennant Creek last night.

Neighbours at the Peko Road unit heard the smoke alarm just before 8pm last night and alerted fire crews. When they arrived the firies found the unit engulfed in smoke and the doors locked.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced entry into the unit and searched the premises for any occupants. They found a 28-year-old man who had fallen asleep on a couch in the lounge room and left food cooking on the stove. The man failed to wake when the smoke from the burning food set off the smoke alarm, however, he was roused by the sound of the firemen breaking into the premises.

Fire crews guided the man outside and he was taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. Acting Station Officer Jeff McKeown said the man was very lucky to survive with only smoke inhalation.

"This could have ended much more tragically and it is another example of the benefit of smoke detectors. If neighbours hadn't raised the alarm when they did, the man would almost certainly have died of smoke inhalation.

"The response by fire fighters in scouring the home for occupants also undoubtedly led to this excellent outcome."

The unit was ventilated and sustained only minor damage.




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Theresa Kuilboer
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