Neighbour rescues woman from burning house in Traun

A neighbour rescued a 49-year-old woman from a burning house in Traun on Friday evening, ORF reports. The man, who is a firefighter, and other neighbours used a ladder to reach her through a window via an adjacent building.

The fire broke out at about 7 p.m. in the entrance to the upstairs stairwell and spread to a wooden chest of drawers and a balcony door. Other neighbours used fire extinguishers to contain the flames until firefighters arrived.

The Traun volunteer fire brigade brought the blaze under control and extinguished it. Firefighters ventilated and inspected the building, paying particular attention to the roof space because the older house had wooden ceilings.

A scented candle is suspected of having caused the fire. Police said outside involvement was highly unlikely. The woman suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy in Linz. A neighbour who had helped with the initial efforts to put out the fire was also taken to hospital.