Teen charged with arson after Sydney house fire rescue

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 01:03 · Archive

A 17-year-old suffering burns has been charged with arson after a house fire in Sydney's Inner West destroyed a home and forced a dramatic rescue.

A fire destroyed a two-storey home on Weddle Avenue in Abbotsford, Sydney's Inner West, about 4am on Tuesday. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with arson, joy riding and property fraud. He was arrested nearly 20 hours later at a home in Merrylands, near Parramatta, and was treated for burns to his hands and legs in a stable condition.

Three occupants of the burning home were treated for smoke inhalation. An 88-year-old woman was rescued from a balcony by police officers and a 49-year-old civilian with a ladder. Superintendent Christine McDonald said the home's occupants were not believed to be criminally linked and commended the civilian who helped in the rescue, saying 'they saved her life'.

Investigators deemed the fire suspicious. A neighbour reportedly saw a male in a balaclava allegedly spreading accelerant before the blaze and confronted the suspect as he fled to a red Holden. Detectives from a police squad investigating youth crime networks and arson investigators executed a search warrant at the Merrylands home, seizing several items of interest. The boy was set to face bail court on Wednesday.

How it is being reported

• Teen suffering burns charged over shocking house fireDetectives attached to a task force investigating youth crime networks have charged a boy with arson after a suburban blaze sparked a daring rescue.Perth Now · 28 Oct, 00:38
• Teen suffering burns charged over shocking house fireDetectives attached to a task force investigating youth crime networks have charged a boy with arson after a suburban blaze sparked a daring rescue.The West Australian · 28 Oct, 00:37

In this story: Abbotsford · Sydney · Merrylands · Parramatta · Christine McDonald

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