Sydney man suffers burns to 70 per cent of his body
A man has suffered burns to 70 per cent of his body in a horrific house fire - with cries for help mistaken by neighbours as fighting.
The 39-year-old from Gymea reportedly came running out of the granny flat at full pelt with his father, who lived in the main house, attempting to put the flames out.
Neighbours reported hearing the man's girlfriend yelling 'help, help' at 2am on Saturday and thought they were having an argument, but this proved to be false as they began to hear fire crackling.
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The 39-year-old from Gymea reportedly came running out of the granny flat (pictured behind the main house) at full pelt with his father attempting to put the flames out
Neighbours reported hearing the man's girlfriend yelling 'help help' at 2am on Saturday and thought they were having an argument (pictured the house)
'I just couldn't believe how quick it was,' neighbours told the Sydney Morning Herald.
'It was right up against our unit and the flames were double the size of our units. And of course then it exploded because it was fibro.'
Seven fire trucks and 35 firefighters were called to the fire but Fire Rescue NSW Superintendent Norman Buckley told the Daily Telegraph that the flat has already been 'gutted'.
There was initially some confusion about how many people were inside, but only the one man was injured.
Neighbours were asked by firefighters to move their cars, as they held onto valuable possessions and pets outside their homes.
Neighbours were asked by firefighters to move their cars, as they held onto valuable possessions and pets outside their homes
The wounded man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition but a spokesperson from the hospital said his condition has now been downgraded to serious
The wounded man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition but a spokesperson from the hospital said his condition has now been downgraded to serious.
Police are currently investigating the cause of the fire and hope to speak to the injured man once it is safe to do so.
They haven't determined whether the fire is suspicious or not.