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Police officers save disabled woman trapped in burning unit

Two quick-thinking police officers in Adelaide are being hailed as heroes for helping to save the life of a disabled woman trapped in her burning unit.

She was rescued from the Woodville Park home alongside a man who has since been charged with setting the property alight on Monday morning.

A neighbour raised the alarm about 7.45am after noticing smoke billowing from the address.

A woman in a wheelchair was pulled from the home as smoke billowed out. Source: 7News
A woman in a wheelchair was pulled from the home as smoke billowed out. Source: 7News

Police officers first on the scene smashed a window and pulled the man to safety as the unit became engulfed in flames.

While the man was freed, a woman in a wheelchair remained in the home as it filled with smoke.

Dozens of firefighters were forced to smash their way into the house through a bedroom window to get to the woman before pulling her to safety through the back door.

Neighbours say the middle-aged man was regularly at the home, and was believed to be the 34-year-old’s carer.

A man also pulled from the home was later charged over the blaze. Source: 7News
A man also pulled from the home was later charged over the blaze. Source: 7News

The house was heavily barricaded with the doors and windows boarded shut.

“There was lots of furniture in front of the doors and windows, making it difficult for fire crews to gain access,” firefighter Craig Donnellan said.

One police officer suffered a cut to the head while the other was treated for smoke inhalation.

“If it wasn’t for their actions at the scene, the outcome would’ve been far different,” Senior Sergeant Angus Yates said.

The man, 50, has been charged with arson and acts to endanger life.

He will face a bedside hearing on Tuesday.