Tuesday, 18 February, 2025
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Heroes next-door A beeping smoke alarm next-door triggered Dandenong North couple into brave lifesavers in June last year. On 10 February, Louise Heard and husband Josh received a community safety award from Fire Rescue Victoria for courageously saving the lives of their elderly neighbours from inside a burning home. Even months later, firefighters were still talking about the dramatic, extraordinary rescue of neighbours Neil and Kathy.
“We don’t see it as anything special, we think it’s a thing you do for your neighbours,” a humble Louise Heard said after the award ceremony. At the time of the fire, she found neighbour Neil struggling to open the flyscreen door with his wheelchair support in the way. Eventually Louise got inside the smoky house, helped him out and went back in for Kathy who was in her room with a bowl of water. “Her entire bed had spot fires all over and
when she threw the water at the bed, it went up the wall like a fireball because it was electrical. “As soon as I saw that, I said we need to get out.” At the time Kathy was “determined” to put out the fire on her own. “I convinced her I would put it out instead,” Louise said. “She gave me the bowl and I threw that on the floor and guided her out. “By the time we got them to the driveway and
turned around the flames was coming through the roof and all the rooms. “I can’t believe how fast it all happened.” They all suffered from smoke inhalations, with Kathy hospitalised with minor burns to her throat and nostrils. The ordeal typified their neighbourhood’s community spirit, Louise says. For more on the story, turn to page 3
12743930-FR03-25