Australian Firefighters Rescue Squatters From Blaze

Nov. 6, 2012
Melbourne crews rescued four squatters, including a pregnant teen, from a burning building.

Firefighters have rescued four squatters, including a pregnant 17-year-old girl from a burning building in Melbourne.

The blaze broke out in a disused factory in Cecil St, at Southbank, around 5:30am (AEDT).

Trevor Bowen, of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, says it was difficult to get into the building because of the amount of rubbish and debris inside.

Fire crews used nine metre long ladders to rescue the group, that included the pregnant girl.

"When we arrived on scene we found four squatters hanging out of the first floor windows suffering from severe smoke inhalation," he said.

"Their escape [route] was blocked because of the smoke leading to the stairs.

Copyright 2012 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved

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