Neighbour’s heroic act after saving kids from deadly house fire

The brave neighbour who saved four children from a deadly Sydney house fire has stunned with another incredible act.

Jarrod Hawkins has been hailed a hero after breaking down a door and running into the fiery blaze at his next door neighbour’s house in Lalor Park, in Sydney’s west, early on Sunday morning.

His efforts have been praised as being the reason four children and a woman survived the house fire, which claimed the lives of two boys, aged three and six, and a 10-month-old baby girl.

“The front door was locked, but I kept shoulder-barging it until I smashed it in,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“There was too much smoke, I couldn’t see a thing.”

Now, he has started up a GoFundMe to help the family “get back on their feet” after the tragedy.

“We are looking for donations for a very young family that survived a house fire and lost everything they had,” Hawkins wrote on the page.

“Although they have lost everything we are trying to help them get back on their feet with cloths (sic), housing and general costs.

“We are grateful for any and all donations. We thank you for your time and donations.”

Police claim a 28-year-old man allegedly tried to stop neighbours and officers from entering the burning home while a woman – who is the man’s partner – and seven children, aged between 10 months and 11 years old, were inside the property.

According to an update on Monday afternoon, the man is so wounded from the fire, it is uncertain if he will survive.

“At this stage it does appear the 28-year-old is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives that have been tragically taken away,” Homicide Squad Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said on Sunday.

“We’re alleging the 28-year-old man took actions to prevent the young people inside being rescued.”

Police said the man allegedly yelled “let me die here” as he tried to prevent the rescue efforts.

The man’s partner is in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.

The man was arrested and taken to hospital under police guard, where he is now in an induced coma with severe burns to his skin and throat.

No charges have been laid.

The incident is being investigated as a domestic violence, multiple homicide incident.

There was no apprehended violence order in place against the man, police say.

The couple involved had been in a relationship for nearly a decade and are listed as being “engaged” on Facebook.

Detective Superintendent Doherty said the suspect was “not adversely known” to police, nor is he before the court for any other matters.

“These types of matters are just devastating. These are tragic circumstances,” he said.

“These are really extraordinary circumstances. We hope the community comes together, galvanises and helps the family.

“There’s more good than bad in the world. Tragedy usually brings out the best in people.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as “horrifying and senseless”.

“These children deserved love and protection and a caring home,” he said.

“Our love and thoughts are with the surviving family members. NSW will support them for as long as necessary, as they seek to recover from this unfathomable event.

“Our thoughts are also with the emergency service workers who fought to save lives last night and who will also be recovering in their own way after a horrible night.”

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