Family of a grandmother killed in house fire say she died a hero
The heartbroken family of a woman killed in a fire have said she died a hero after she ran into the burning home to save her grandchild.
The blaze broke out on August 9 at the St Albans house in Melbourne's west and Anna Kormendy, aged in her 60s, pulled her granddaughter to safety.
But after she ran back inside to try and rescue the pets, Ms Kormendy became overwhelmed by the smoke.
"Mum made it all the way up the stairs, but she didn't make it any further," Ms Kormendy's 25-year-old daughter Crystal said.
"I guess mum's our hero because she saved the kid and she went back to get the bird and the dog."
The pets sadly perished in the fire.
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Ms Kormendy was the guardian to her four grandchildren at the time of her death and Crystal has now taken over the parenting role.
"I'm 25 and I went from having no kids to five kids," she said.
"I feel like it's my responsibility to make sure that we're all together and they're all safe."
Crystal and the children have been staying with extended family since the fire, which destroyed the home and contents.
The fire took 30 firefighters and about 20 minutes to get under control.
