July 9th 2024.
A resident in the western Sydney community has recounted a harrowing experience where he heard the cries of children coming from a burning home. It was a tragic event where three young lives were lost, and the community is still reeling from the shock.
According to police, the father of the children, Dean Heasman, barricaded his seven children inside the home on Freeman Street in Lalor Park on Sunday. The flames had already taken hold, and emergency services were on their way.
Jarrod Hawkins, a neighbor who lives on the same street, didn't hesitate to rush into the flames. He recalls, "I didn't even realize what was happening, I just heard the kids crying, and my instincts took over." Despite the dangerous situation, Hawkins boldly entered the burning home, determined to save the children.
He describes the scene as chaotic, with the house engulfed in flames and thick smoke making it impossible to see. But Hawkins followed the sound of the children's cries, feeling his way along the wall until he could find them. He bravely pulled out four children, one by one, including three boys aged four, seven, and 11, and one nine-year-old girl. He also managed to rescue Heasman and a 29-year-old woman who were inside.
Sadly, the flames were too intense for Hawkins to save the remaining three children - two boys aged two and six, and a five-month-old baby girl. He recalls the heartbreaking moment when he realized there was nothing more he could do. "I was stuck," he said.
Police allege that Heasman intentionally kept pushing the children back into the burning home, preventing emergency services from rescuing them. Hawkins expresses his disbelief and disgust, saying, "Never in my life would I think that someone could want to hurt their own children. It's outrageous and disgusting."
As of now, the children have not been formally identified, and post-mortem examinations will determine their causes of death. Heasman is currently in the hospital, under police guard and in an induced coma as investigations into the fatal blaze continue. No charges have been laid yet.
Meanwhile, the woman and four children who were rescued remain in the hospital in stable condition. Hawkins, on the other hand, walked away with minor cuts and burns on his foot. The community has been calling him a hero, but he humbly rejects the title, saying, "I was in the right place at the wrong time, and I was in a position to help."
He adds, "I'll never forget something like that." The community has come together to support the surviving family members, with a growing pile of flowers and teddy bears outside the home. People have also donated to a fundraising page to help the family move forward.
Premier Chris Minns has expressed his condolences and promised the government's support for the grieving family. He calls the tragedy "unfathomable," and police are appealing to the public for any information that may help in their investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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