A firefighter has been left in a critical condition in the Royal Children’s Hospital after receiving burns to 50 per cent of his body during a fire at Carlton End Primary School, in Carlton.

The fire occurred in a two-storey art building during the lunch break, around 1.15pm.  It is unclear what started the fire, but it was suspected to be an electrical fault. The Melbourne Fire Brigade took five minutes to arrive on the scene and with police assistance, safely evacuated 22 students who were playing in the entrance of the building.

The school’s principle, Mr Herbert Scollo contacted the parents of the three students unaccounted for. Mr Scollo was not able to make contact with the parents of two students, but was successful with the third. It was determined that the boy had returned home without warning. According to this boy, the other two students had gone to the local pool.

The fireman, Michael Jones, 25, “had only been in the job for a couple of months,” said Station Officer William Short. Mr Jones was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with severe burns, while two other fire officers are recovering in hospital from smoke inhalation. “This is a tragic blow to the brigade, not to mention his family,” said Mr Short.

“While truancy is on no level to be encouraged, I am hopeful the missing boys will return home soon,” said Mr Scollo. who’s thoughts “are now with the fire officer who risked his life to ensure the safety of students.”  Mr Scollo told the press at 3pm that the school comprised of 311 students and that all the students were now safe.

Josh T