A man has died after a house fire in Sydney’s south west.
Emergency services were called to Highclere Avenue, Punchbowl, about 10pm on Saturday, following reports of a house fire.
Police arrived to find a unit well alight.
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A 54-year-old man was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
The blaze was eventually extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW.
While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, Andrew Shurety from Fire and Rescue NSW said four lithium iron batteries were found upstairs.
“Battery fires can start quickly and burn with extreme heat, and are difficult to extinguish,” Shurety said.
Shurety added the man was found with soot around his mouth and nose, and that he died after inhaling smoke, and potentially toxic gases.
It’s understood he took a fire extinguisher with him upstairs when the fire ignited, which Shurety explained was a “futile attempt” given the size of the fire.
“I don’t think people realise a fire extinguisher is not going to extinguish a blaze of that size,” he said
“Our firefighters do not enter these premises without breathing apparatuses.
“The risk is, if you go into a smoke environment it only takes a couple of breaths of this toxic gas that you can be unconscious and on the floor.”
A crime scene has been established and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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