Firefighters rescue unconscious man from burning cottage - Queenscliff

Published: 02 May 2025 03:33pm

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has rescued an unconscious man from a burning cottage in Pavillion Street, Queenscliff on Sydney’s northern beaches.

FRNSW was alerted to the incident at 22:32pm last night, after neighbours observed a fire venting from windows of the home.

Firefighters forced entry through the front of the property and were immediately confronted with extremely hot, black smoke which had filled the room almost to the floor.

Firefighters commenced a search of the home and located an unconscious man, who was dragged and carried out to the street into clear air.

Firefighters treated the man with oxygen before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived a short time later. They continued treatment for smoke inhalation and airway burns before rushing him to the hospital.

A second team of firefighters moved past the team of firefighters conducting the rescue, continuing the search for other occupants and the seat of the fire.

The home was heavily smoke logged with zero visibility. Firefighters located the seat of the fire at the rear of the home, which took approximately 20 minutes to extinguish.

Fortunately, there were no other occupants in the residence.

Firefighters ventilated the home to ensure it was fully extinguished and worked to clear out the smoke.

As a matter of process, NSW Police has established a crime scene.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by FRNSW Fire Investigation Unit and NSW Police. 

At this stage of the investigation, it appears no working smoke alarms were fitted in the home.

Working smoke alarms can be life-saving. They give you early notification of a fire in your home, buying you and your family precious time to get out before a fire takes hold.

FRNSW offers free home fire safety visits. Firefighters will come to your home and check your smoke alarm is working and if required, will install a new one free of charge.

Anyone can book a safety visit at https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits [external link]

Updated: 02 May 2025 01:38pm

listView more incidents

Related safety topics

Smoke alarms

It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.

High-rise fire safety

The best way to keep you and your family safe is to prevent fires from occurring and know what to do in case of a fire.

Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.

For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)

For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].

For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]

Stations nearby

MANLY Fire Station

128 Sydney Road, Fairlight NSW 2094

DEE WHY Fire Station

38 Fisher Road, Dee Why NSW 2099

MOSMAN Fire Station

730 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088