THREE children suffered smoke inhalation after one started a fire by playing with a cigarette lighter in a Werribee house on Monday.
Their father, who was unable to open a bedroom door to rescue the children, suffered cuts to his hand after smashing a window from the exterior to take them to safety.
CFA crews were called to the house in Wattle Avenue in Werribee about noon.
Spokesman Darryl Wells said the father’s efforts saved his children. “He is the real hero of this event, as without his actions the children would have almost certainly perished in the fire.”
The blaze, which caused up to $30,000 damage, was contained to the bedroom.
Paramedics treated the children for smoke inhalation before all, including their father, were taken to hospital.
Mr Wells said the incident underscored the importance of warning children not to play with lighters or matches and to store those items out of children’s reach.
