Neighbours banded together in a frantic attempt to stop flames engulfing a Glenfield house.
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The male occupant of the Karoom Drive house was able to escape the Sunday night blaze and neighbours helped save his car, but his home was gutted and the roof has collapsed.
The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen and is not being treated as suspicious.
Rebecca Evans, who lives next door to the brick-and-tile house, said she was alerted to problems by the smell of smoke and by a growing disturbance outside.
She said a group of residents was banging on the doors of other houses, while others were using gardens hoses in a bid to fight the flames before NSW Fire and Rescue personnel arrived.
Ms Evans said residents helped her to move her car, while others kept a close watch on her home.
“The wind was blowing towards my house, and they were worried about my roof,” she said.
“There is also a big palm tree and they were worried what would happen to my house if that caught fire.”
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Ms Evans estimates that between 20 and 25 residents had been in the street, trying to help fight the fire and save the property.
“People I’ve never seen were here, trying to help out,” she said.
“It was terrifying for us and heartbreaking for the man who has lost everything, but it was amazing that so many people came to help.”
Firefighters were on the scene within five minutes, and found that despite the frantic efforts of neighbours, the house was well alight.
The firefighters brought the fire under control within 15 to 20 minutes, Turvey Park station office Justin Bletchley said.
Luckily, there was no fire damage to Ms Evans' home, although her parts of her fence had to be removed to allow firefighters better access to the burning house.
Ms Evans said firefighters have been conducting regular checks on the gutted property to make sure the blaze remains extinguished.
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