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Firefighter ignores facial burns to rescue injured police
Yahoo!7 News January 6, 2014, 10:24 am
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A Melbourne firefighter who ignored serious facial injuries to drag three police officers from a flat explosion is expected to be nominated for a bravery award.
Andrew Wood dragged two officers from to safety seconds after a large gas explosion tore through the Middle Park flat on Saturday night.
Then, despite suffering serious burns to his face, the heroic firefighter returned to the building to rescue the third police officer.
Mr Wood and another firefighter were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.
A friend described Mr Wood, who is also a teacher, as a ‘standout guy’.
"He's a person you'd trust your life with," she told News Ltd.
"The kids love him and he's very popular in the school community.
“He just gets on so well with everybody."
He has received serious burns to his face, the only part of his body not covered by protective gear.
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The drama began when police were called to the flat about 9.15pm (AEDT) on Saturday after reports of a man threatening self-harm.
As firefighters and police entered the flat via the balcony using a ladder, there was a large explosion caused by an exploding gas bottle.
The intensity of the explosion shattered the windows of the apartment.
Deputy Commissioner Tim Cartwright said police believed the incident to be a suicide attempt rather than a malicious attack.
"This is probably the worst nightmare we have," Mr Cartwright said.
"I find this a tragedy, it cuts very deep.
"Our members deal with people with mental illness every day ... You ask them to go and look after the community and as a result, this happens."
Mr Cartwright said the family of the police officers were traumatised by the event.
Two junior female officers who had less than four years on the job received serious burns to their faces and upper bodies and are in serious but stable conditions after surgery at The Alfred Hospital.
A male sergeant in his 50s is in stable condition at the hospital.
A 40-year-old male resident remains in a serious but stable condition at The Alfred Hospital and is under police guard. Police said the man was not in a fit state to talk but could face charges.
