An international visitor in Tasmania from the UK has been praised for helping an elderly neighbour escape her smoke-filled home in Launceston.
Charlotte Fink was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation and a Launceston Fire Brigade commemorative medallion for pulling the sleeping 98-year-old resident from her Youngtown house by the Tasmania Fire Service.
Fink noticed smoke coming from the elderly woman’s house last Friday and entered the house while her father and grandfather switched off an electrical box.
The neighbour was safely escorted outside and received treatment for mild smoke inhalation from Ambulance Tasmania.
The Tasmania Fire Service praised Fink and her family for assessing the risk before entering the home.
“While we don’t encourage anyone to enter a building where there is a fire, Charlotte and her family took some important steps to make sure the area was as safe as possible,” the TFS said.
“A smoke alarm was fitted in the home, however it is a timely reminder that smoke alarms for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are also available.”
