A woman rescued from a burning house by firefighters woke up from a coma to find she had severe burns over a quarter of her body.
Emergency services were called to the Pristine Crescent home in Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast on July 30 after a “large explosion” set the house alight.
Three fire brigades were dispatched to fight the blaze, which caused the roof to collapse.
Simona Udenzi, 35, was found inside and rescued by a firefighter who carried her to the front yard.
As the Italian citizen was put into the ambulance, neighbours recalled seeing her clothes “burned to a crisp”. Costa Dorada Newsletter reported.
The keen Brazilian dancer suffered life-threatening burns to more than 25 per cent of her body and was taken to Royal Brisbane Hospital where she was placed in an induced coma.
Broadbeach Waters resident Guillermo Dias has created a GoFundMe for his ‘beautiful friend’.
“He has just woken up from an induced coma and has a long road to recovery,” she wrote.
Simona Udenzi (pictured), who was in a Gold Coast home that was destroyed in a fire (right), woke from a coma to find she had severe burns over a quarter of her body.
Three fire crews were dispatched to tackle the blaze (pictured), which caused the roof to collapse, while Ms Udenzi was found inside and rescued by a firefighter.
He added that his friend will likely remain in the hospital “for a number of months and will require further medical attention now and in the future.”
As Ms Udenzi’s Australian working holiday visa has already expired, she will have to return to Italy when she is well enough to travel.
“Simi is a dear friend of mine and has brought so much joy to my life and to everyone who has met her, whether through acting, her Brazilian dance group or through work, she is a bright light and a beautiful soul,” Dias wrote.
‘She is so generous, loving, caring and considerate.
‘Any donation would be greatly appreciated to help Simona in her recovery and for her future back home in Italy.’
Emergency services were called to Varsity Lakes at around 8.30am on July 30 after a “large explosion” set the house alight.
The smoke was so thick when firefighters arrived that they couldn’t see two metres ahead.
“We found the back half of the house was completely engulfed in fire and the roof had collapsed,” said firefighter Matt Roser. ABC.
“Thanks to the quick action of the firefighters, they saved the life of that person and he was taken to the hospital.”
Fire investigators are working with police to determine the cause of the fire.