Broadmeadows policemen drag man to safety from Jacana house fire

Published in the Hume Leader on 28 January 2020

A man trying to save his beloved german shepherd from a burning Jacana home has been hauled to safety by two young Broadmeadows policemen, who have been lauded for their “courageous” and quick actions to save his life.


Constable Darcy Elliott and First Constable Grant Jordan outside the scene of a rescue in Jacana. Picture: Hume Leader.

Two young Broadmeadows policemen have returned to the site where they dragged a man to safety from inside his burning garage.

Constable Darcy Elliott and First Constable Grant Jordan rescued the man from a Pascoe Vale Rd property in Jacana as fire engulfed the car port on January 15.

The pair were on patrol when they were called to reports of black smoke billowing from a property about 10.30am and arrived at the house just over a minute later.

They spotted the 78-year-old in danger at the rear of the house trying to get back inside to retrieve his dog as the flames continued to spread.

Constable Elliott sprang into action and grabbed the man, with First Constable Jordan grabbing his partner.

Together they pulled the man away from the fire.

“We had noticed the man trying to get into a door of the house right near the fire,” Constable Elliott said.

“The fire was raging so my partner and I had to take the man to safety out the front of the property.”

First Constable Jordan said passers-by were able to break a window, which allowed the man’s german shepherd to escape.

Neither were injured but the car port and rear of the house were badly damaged before firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.

The fire was declared under control within an hour.

First Constable Jordan said it was rewarding to have such a positive impact on someone’s life.

“We do see a lot of bad sides of the job,” he said.

“It’s one of those days where you remember why you joined the job – it’s very rewarding to know that we helped someone.”

First Constable Jordan said a person’s safety was always the priority.

“Household items, although they may be personal, they can always be replaced,” he said.

“A life can’t be replaced so put yourself first and get out of harm’s way.”

Acting Inspector Tania Gallagher said the duo “acted quickly and courageously”.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

One of the possibilities being investigated is whether a car backfiring started the blaze.

 


Sub menu