Butcher saves sleeping neighbours from 'billowing' Canberra house fire

A Canberra butcher, Tom Freeman, recounted how he rescued his neighbors from a house fire that engulfed their garage while they were asleep. The event left the family emotionally devastated, with the Dunlop resident describing the heartbreak they were experiencing. Mr. Freeman said witnessing someone's eyes as they watch their home burn was an experience he never wanted to repeat.

He emphasized the importance of never wanting to do it again. The day began like any other for Mr. Freeman, who woke up around 5 am, defrosted his car's windshield with a jug of water, and bid farewell to his wife. However, upon returning outside, he noticed an unusual smell that wasn't quite right. The odor was more sinister than a wood fire, prompting him to take a loop around the street before heading to work.

That's when he observed his neighbor's garage ablaze, billowing and smoldering dangerously. Without hesitation, Mr. Freeman banged on their front door and considered breaking a window, as the occupants were still unconscious. Their front door was almost red-hot by the time they arrived. The occupants included a young girl and her cat.

He immediately evacuated the immediate neighbors, called Triple Zero (000), and proceeded to his Kippax workplace after ACT emergency services arrived on the scene. Mr. Freeman received praise as a "hero" and a "champion" on social media, with many Canberrans commenting on his kindness as a neighbor. No injuries were reported, and authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Mr. Freeman expressed his condolences to the family, hoping they hadn't lost everything, and expressed his heartache through tears.