Update
Kirrawee resident Eileen Enright, 95, is “doing well” after a lucky escape from her burning townhouse.
The Parish Priest of St Catherine Laboure Church, Gymea, Monsignor Brian Rayner, visited Mrs Enright in St George Hospital after her transfer from Sutherland Hospital.
“She suffered some burns and is having some trouble with her lungs from the smoke, but she is sprightly and alert and doing well,” he said.
Monsignor Rayner said Mrs Enright was due to undergo surgery on Monday afternoon.
“She told me she felt a bit cold and put the electric blanket on,” he said
“It started to feel very hot so she turned it off and then, suddenly, everything went up in flames.
“She was very lucky to get out alive.”
Earlier
An electric blanket may have caused a fire in a Kirrawewe townhouse in which a 95-year old woman received burns.
Next door neighbours Ray Robertson and Sandra Hughes were awakened about 5.30 by the sound of a glass window exploding and heard screams.
Mr Robertson found Eileen Enright at her front door of her Hotham Road townhouse and had to restrain her from going back inside.
He picked her up and carried her to his home while Ms Hughes called 000 and then cared for Mrs Enright.
The couple said Mrs Enright told them the fire was caused by an electric blanket, but a fire investigator said that had not been confirmed.
“The poor darling,” Ms Hughes said. “It was a dreadful shock for a woman at 95, who has been independent and a wonderful neighbour.
“Her birthday was just a few days ago, on September 13, and she had a big mob there.
“She has a son and a daughter and is a staunch member of the Catholic Church at Gymea.”
Fire and Rescue NSW crews took more than an hour to extinguish the blaze while neighbours watched on.
