Pub fire victims
A man has died after suffering serious burns a fire at a pub in Sydney’s west. Police are now treating the fire as suspicious.
Police and emergency services were called to the pub in Emu Plains early on Friday morning at about 1.45am.
They discovered two men in critical condition.
One of the men was found lying on the road with serious burns to the majority of his body.
He died in hospital about 9:00pm on Friday after being taken to Nepean Hospital where he had been stabilised. With life-threatening injuries leaving him in critical condition, he was later transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital.
The second man, aged 30, was also seriously burned to the lower part of his body.
Paramedics found him at nearby Avoca Street and he was taken to Concord Hospital.
Police are now treating the fire as suspicious and have asked for anyone with information to contact them.
According to firefighters, the blaze was contained to a cool room.
Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said it took about 45 minutes to contain the fire.
“We were on site for approximately two hours just ensuring there was no fire extension in the building," Superintendent Dewnberry told the ABC.
"The job was made a little bit more difficult by the power in the vicinity of the site."
The fire brigade has reported that an accelerant, believed to be petrol, may have been used. Adding to the evidence was a smashed window and burn marks on walls outside.
Detective acting inspector Grant Healey said police are gathering evidence from the pub.
Now, they are waiting for witnesses to come forward.
“It's not organised crime-related and the hotel involved has a good reputation within the community,” Inspector Healey told Sky News.
'It's deliberately lit and we are pursuing the offender.”
by Leon Gettler, 13th June 2016
