A teenager who ran into a burning building to help save a family trapped in a house fire is being hailed as a hero.
The horror unfolded about 1.30pm on Thursday when a property in Northcote Ave, Swansea, about 136km north of Sydney, was engulfed in flames.
An 87-year-old woman and two girls, both aged five, were inside the property at the time.
By the time emergency services arrived at the scene, the house was well lit.
One of the children was located during a search of the home and was unable to be revived, NSW Police said in a statement.
The elderly woman suffered serious burns and was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
Sixteen-year-old Mace Jefferson was passing by the house when it caught alight.
Hayley Carmody said that he “immediately rushed to help” the family trapped inside.
“Without thinking about his own safety, he kicked through a window of the burning home and was able to save a young child,” she said.
“Tragically, another young child lost their life in the fire.”
The teenager suffered a serious achilles injury during the fire, and his tendon was “nearly completely severed”.
The Newcastle Herald reported that the teenager was scheduled to have surgery on Friday afternoon.
His mum told the publication that her son, who she was “really proud” of, was on his way home from the beach when he drove past the house.
“He said ‘my instinct was just to kick the window in because she was just staring at me’,” Alicia Jefferson said.
“We’re all really proud of him.
“To be honest, I’m not surprised.
“Mace is a massive empath, he’s always looking out for others.
“I think he just wants to get the operation out of the way and move forward with the recovery.”
Ms Carmody has established a GoFundMe to help Mace and his recovery.
In its first six hours it raised more than $8,500 for the teenager.
In the fundraiser’s description, Ms Carmody wrote that Mace would face a long recovery from the injury.
“At just 16 years old, he is expected to have a long recovery of minimum three months, during which he will be unable to live his normal life, return to work as a carpenter apprentice and experience the exciting things like getting his P’s shortly,” she wrote.
“We are now asking our community to come together and support Mace during his recovery.
“Mace showed incredible bravery. Now it’s our turn to show him that he isn’t alone.”
Lake Macquarie Police District Acting Superintendent Lisa Jones said Mace’s actions were a “very selfless act.”
“It shows the community spirit to come and try and help,” she said.
A 37-year-old man also entered the home to help the family inside. He was not injured.
A crime scene has been declared and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
With NCA Newswire
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