Police officers conscious after being placed in induced comas following inner west house fire
Two police officers who were admitted to hospital and subsequently placed in induced comas after rescuing a man from a house fire are now conscious, in a stable condition.
The officers were driving along Church Street in Camperdown on Tuesday morning when they saw a fire on the balcony of a townhouse about 2.40am.
Probationary Constable Claudia Vaccaro and Constable Oliver Rietbergen were placed in induced comas after rescuing a man from a house fire in Camperdown on Tuesday.
Photo: Seven NewsThe constables started knocking on doors and windows to alert the resident, who was taken to safety while firefighters extinguished the blaze.
The male occupant was uninjured, but the officers were taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for smoke inhalation.
About 4pm on Tuesday, a 36-year-old woman was arrested over the blaze.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said Constable Oliver Rietbergen and Probationary Constable Claudia Vaccaro were sedated as a precaution and they are expected to make a full recovery.
"They have been intubated as a precautionary measure as a result of that smoke inhalation," he said.
The assistant commissioner said the young constables, who have "about two years experience between them," acted selflessly.
"There is the potential that these two police officers by their actions saved the occupant of that property," he said.
"It's quite fortunate they were able to respond as they did."
Early investigations suggest the fire was deliberately lit, but Assistant Commissioner Walton said the motive for the fire is unknown.
"Information suggests it was deliberately lit inside a bin and there's no evidence at this stage of an accelerant being used," he said.
"Damaging property with the intent to endanger life is one of the state's most serious offences and carries a penalty of up to 25 years imprisonment."
Police ask for anyone who may have information that could assist investigations to please contact Crime Stoppers.
The officers were driving along Church Street in Camperdown when they saw a fire on the balcony of a townhouse.