Five-year-old girl dies in house fire despite rescuers' 'extraordinary bravery'

Five-year-old girl dies in house fire at Swansea Heads near Newcastle In short: A five-year-old girl has died in a house fire at Swansea Heads. A 16-year-old boy and a 37-year-old man tried to break into the home to help. What's next? A forensic police examination will be completed today. A man and a teenage boy are being praised for the "extraordinary bravery" they displayed while trying to rescue a five-year-old girl who died in a house fire at Swansea Heads, near Newcastle. Emergency services were called to the blaze on Northcote Avenue about 1:30pm on Thursday. A NSW Police spokesperson said two five-year-old girls and an 87-year-old woman were inside at the time. "One of the girls was located during a search of the home and was unable to be revived," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Police have been told the other girl was uninjured. "The elderly woman was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, suffering burns." More than 40 firefighters battled to put out the flames at the peak of the tragedy. 'Extraordinary bravery' A 37-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy tried to break into the house to help. The boy was later taken to hospital with a leg injury. Lake Macquarie Police District Acting Superintendent Lisa Jones praised his bravery. "[It was] a very selfless act by that young person and it shows the community spirit to come and try and help," she said. In a statement, Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said the tragedy would have a "profound" impact on the community. "My thoughts are with the family as they face an unimaginable loss, and I am hoping for the recovery of those who remain in hospital," she said. "I also want to acknowledge and thank our police, firefighters, paramedics and those who tried to help at the scene. "They demonstrated extraordinary bravery." A crime scene has been established, with police due to complete a forensic examination on Friday. The home is also being investigated by a structural engineer, with neighbouring homes also impacted by the fire. A report will be prepared for the coroner. [Image text:] PARBURY NO THROUGH ROAD