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BY NICK SOON
24 Nov, 2011 12:19 PM
A SURVIVOR of the Quakers Hill nursing home fire that has claimed nine lives so far, told his rescuers this week why he didnt want to leave the burning building.Maxwell Burrowes,74, apologised to Fire and Rescue officers Dean Scifleet, Michael Watt-Seale, Heather Sutton and Barry Jones after telling them he was searching for his treasured South Sydney Football cap.
This exchange occurred after he, other survivors, relatives, friends and the officers attended the Tribute Service at Quakers Hill Anglican Church last Wednesday.
I had to find the cap as it is a gift from my family. So sorry for being so obstinate, Mr Burrowes said sitting in his wheelchair.
I didnt know how bad the situation was until my family told me nine of my fellow residents including friends have passed way from smoke inhalation and burns.
Officer Scifleet who recognised Mr Burrowes as one of the many frail residents his team had rescued, said he understood how he felt and had waited until he was ready to leave without realising why at that time.
When asked why Mr Burrowes wasnt wearing his treasured cap at the service, he said he had kept it in his daughters home where he is now staying.
Mr Burrowes said he felt very bad that so many of his mates had either passed away or were fighting for their lives in hospitals.
I was very lucky as the blaze was close to my bed. There were smoke and debris everywhere,'' he said.
The officers were very brave in coming to drag us out. I would like to thank all of them including the nurses.
His son-in-law Mark Rigddel and daughter Simone Kelly also thanked the officers, police and nurses for rescuing him and other residents.
Craig Crocker of Penrith, the son-in-law of survivor Thelma Hodgson, 85, who is recovering in Westmead Hospital, wants to meet the people who saved Mrs Hodgson.
He said his mother-in-law who could not remember the fire, wanted to thank them personally as she was very close to death just before she was carried to safety.
She was covered with debris and soot when rushed to the hospital and placed in intensive care unit, he said.
Pat and John Woods were among about 500 people who attended the tribute service said she and her husband lived in the neighbourhood and wanted to show their support for the residents.
Mrs Woods, a former volunteer at Quakers Hill nursing home said she probably knew many of the people who passed away as well as the survivors.
Most of them lived in our neighbourhood before they moved into the nursing home, she said.
http://www.blacktownsun.com.au/news...didnt-want-to-leave-burning-room/2369520.aspx
A hardcore supporter
24 Nov, 2011 12:19 PM
A SURVIVOR of the Quakers Hill nursing home fire that has claimed nine lives so far, told his rescuers this week why he didnt want to leave the burning building.Maxwell Burrowes,74, apologised to Fire and Rescue officers Dean Scifleet, Michael Watt-Seale, Heather Sutton and Barry Jones after telling them he was searching for his treasured South Sydney Football cap.
This exchange occurred after he, other survivors, relatives, friends and the officers attended the Tribute Service at Quakers Hill Anglican Church last Wednesday.
I had to find the cap as it is a gift from my family. So sorry for being so obstinate, Mr Burrowes said sitting in his wheelchair.
I didnt know how bad the situation was until my family told me nine of my fellow residents including friends have passed way from smoke inhalation and burns.
Officer Scifleet who recognised Mr Burrowes as one of the many frail residents his team had rescued, said he understood how he felt and had waited until he was ready to leave without realising why at that time.
When asked why Mr Burrowes wasnt wearing his treasured cap at the service, he said he had kept it in his daughters home where he is now staying.
Mr Burrowes said he felt very bad that so many of his mates had either passed away or were fighting for their lives in hospitals.
I was very lucky as the blaze was close to my bed. There were smoke and debris everywhere,'' he said.
The officers were very brave in coming to drag us out. I would like to thank all of them including the nurses.
His son-in-law Mark Rigddel and daughter Simone Kelly also thanked the officers, police and nurses for rescuing him and other residents.
Craig Crocker of Penrith, the son-in-law of survivor Thelma Hodgson, 85, who is recovering in Westmead Hospital, wants to meet the people who saved Mrs Hodgson.
He said his mother-in-law who could not remember the fire, wanted to thank them personally as she was very close to death just before she was carried to safety.
She was covered with debris and soot when rushed to the hospital and placed in intensive care unit, he said.
Pat and John Woods were among about 500 people who attended the tribute service said she and her husband lived in the neighbourhood and wanted to show their support for the residents.
Mrs Woods, a former volunteer at Quakers Hill nursing home said she probably knew many of the people who passed away as well as the survivors.
Most of them lived in our neighbourhood before they moved into the nursing home, she said.
http://www.blacktownsun.com.au/news...didnt-want-to-leave-burning-room/2369520.aspx
A hardcore supporter
