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Commonwealth bank fire: 27 injured, six seriously, in Springvale branch Commonwealth bank fire: 27 injured, six seriously, in Springvale branch
(35 minutes later)
More than 20 people have been injured, six seriously, after a fire in a Melbourne branch of the Commonwealth bank. Six people are in a critical condition and another 20 have been injured after a man used an accelerant to start a fire in the Commonwealth Bank in the Melbourne suburb of Springvale.
Six people with serious burns were taken to the Alfred hospital, Ambulance Victoria said. A 21-year-old Springvale man was one of those seriously injured and was under police guard in hospital on Friday afternoon, police said.
Paramedics treated 21 others – including three children – who experiencing breathing problems. They were being taken to Monash medical centre and Dandenong hospital. All were in a stable condition. The six people with serious burns were taken to the Alfred hospital, Ambulance Victoria said.
It is believed the fire may have been deliberately lit. Police said one man who was taken to hospital in a serious condition was under police guard, the ABC reported. Paramedics treated 21 others – including three children – who experiencing breathing problems. They were taken to Monash medical centre and Dandenong hospital. All were in a stable condition.
Emergency crews were called to the business in the south-eastern suburb of Springvale about 11.30am on Friday. A spokesman for the Country Fire Authority, Paul Carrigg, told reporters the brigade had responded to reports of a person on fire inside the bank. He said they arrived within about 90 seconds of the call and found the front doors of the bank closed. Entering with breathing apparatus and hoselines, they rescued 25 people with a range of injuries and provided first aid outside the building.
Dozens of police and emergency services personnel were on the scene. A police spokeswoman said an accelerant had been used, but it was unclear exactly what it was, or whether the man had set fire to himself or to part of the bank.
Video posted on Twitter appeared to show flames inside the building and black smoke engulfing the bank.
Commonwealth Bank fire in Springvale. Looks like an explosion? pic.twitter.com/rAYZGAgsC7
Carrigg said it was “amazing” no one had lost their life.
“Very lucky, and it was a combined effort I think by civilians, witnesses who were in attendance, and the emergency services response was fantastic.”
Police said they had no information as yet as to the identity of the man, or any possible motive.
One witness told the ABC he had seen someone running out of the bank “screaming his head off, skin hanging off, blood everywhere”.
He said he had found a fire extinguisher from a nearby business and helped to put the fire out.
“Police responded to reports that a man had allegedly set fire to a Springvale Road bank in Springvale about 11.30am today,” a police spokeswoman said in a statement.
Emergency crews were called to the business in the south-eastern suburb of Springvale about 11.30am on Friday. Four fire trucks were deployed and the blaze had been brought under control by 12.25pm.
More than 20 injured in fire incident at a bank in Springvale: https://t.co/EcHak8waBO pic.twitter.com/kCGSUngLNlMore than 20 injured in fire incident at a bank in Springvale: https://t.co/EcHak8waBO pic.twitter.com/kCGSUngLNl
The Commonwealth Bank said in a statement its first priority was the safety of staff and customers.The Commonwealth Bank said in a statement its first priority was the safety of staff and customers.
“As a result the branch will remain closed for the rest of the day,” a spokesman said. “Our response team is on site and we are working closely with local authorities and emergency services.”“As a result the branch will remain closed for the rest of the day,” a spokesman said. “Our response team is on site and we are working closely with local authorities and emergency services.”
Video posted on Twitter appeared to show flames inside the building and black smoke engulfing the bank. A worker from a neighbouring clothing store told AAP he heard an explosion and called emergency services.
Commonwealth Bank fire in Springvale. Looks like an explosion? pic.twitter.com/rAYZGAgsC7 “I heard an explosion but not that loud,” said the man, who did not want to be named. “I just walked out of the shop to have a look and I called triple-zero.
“There was lots of smoke coming out of the bank.”
Five or 10 minutes later, injured people came from the Commonwealth Bank with burns, he said.
Police subsequently told the retailer to close his store and stay inside.