A courageous 18-year-old man is being hailed as a hero after risking his life to save a mother and daughter from a devastating house fire in regional Victoria.
Jordan Spencer was driving through Shepparton on Tuesday night when he spotted flames engulfing a home on Archer Street. Without hesitation, the brave teenager sprang into action, rushing toward the burning property as others watched helplessly from a distance.
The Terrifying Rescue Mission
"I just saw the flames and thought, 'I've got to do something,'" Spencer recounted from his hospital bed at The Alfred hospital, where he's being treated for serious burns.
The dramatic rescue unfolded as Spencer first helped 42-year-old Paris Carpio escape the inferno. But when he learned her 21-year-old daughter remained trapped inside, he plunged back into the smoke-filled building.
"The smoke was so thick I could barely see," Spencer described. "I found her collapsed near the doorway and just dragged her out as fast as I could."
Severe Injuries and Road to Recovery
The heroic act came at a significant personal cost. Spencer suffered second-degree burns to his face, arms, and hands, requiring specialist treatment and facing a lengthy recovery process.
Medical staff at The Alfred confirmed the young hero will need ongoing treatment for his injuries, but expect him to make a full recovery thanks to his quick thinking and the rapid response of emergency services.
Community Response and Investigation
Emergency services arrived at the scene around 10:30 PM to find the property fully ablaze. Firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control, but the home sustained extensive damage.
Both rescued women were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries at Goulburn Valley Health before being released. The mother expressed eternal gratitude to her rescuer, calling Spencer "our guardian angel."
Victoria Police and fire investigators are now working to determine the cause of the blaze that nearly turned tragic, were it not for one young man's extraordinary bravery.
