A man tragically lost his life in a significant fire that engulfed a three-storey apartment building in Box Hill, Melbourne on the evening of the incident. Emergency services responded promptly to the blaze after receiving reports at approximately 7:50 PM, and they arrived to find flames emanating from the second storey of the structure.
Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control within a quarter of an hour, following indications that someone may still be trapped inside. Unfortunately, the resident, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was found deceased at the scene.
While emergency crews evacuated the remaining residents from the complex, one occupant, Hao Shun Guan, recounted his experience, stating that he was alerted by the smoke alarm and the heavy smell of smoke filling the hallway. He quickly contacted his girlfriend and escaped the building with urgency.
Guan expressed profound sadness upon learning of the man’s death, describing him as a seemingly good person known to their community. He remarked that their neighbour had spoken highly of the victim, reflecting a sense of loss felt in the building.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into the origins of the fire, which is currently not deemed suspicious. The community mourns the loss while paying tribute to the victim, with many acknowledging his friendly demeanour and the impact of this tragic event.