Man airlifted after unit fire at Newcastle, NSW

Police remain at the scene of a unit fire in Newcastle’s CBD this morning.

About 6.45am (Thursday 21 October 2021), emergency services were called to Darby Street, Cooks Hill, following reports a unit was well alight.

As residents evacuated the building, they assisted a 41-year-old man from his unit.

He was treated by an off-duty nurse prior to the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics; he was then airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment to severe burns.

Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze a short time later.

Darby Street has since reopened to traffic. Officers from Newcastle City Police District have established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances and cause of the fire.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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