Rescuer couldn't save fellow Cantabrian from Melbourne fire

A Christchurch man who rescued five people from a burning building in Melbourne is devastated he could not save a fellow Cantabrian.

The fire broke out early yesterday morning at a boarding house.

Nathan Rao, 27, helped five people to safety, but was not able to save a 27-year-old Christchurch woman and her fiance.

"I just break down every time I think about it. Every time I just remember the smell of the burning. It's awful. I yelled out to them, but got no answer. I just couldn't get through, the smoke was way too thick," Mr Rao told the Press newspaper.

"It's worse because she was from Christchurch like me, so I feel like we had a bond. I can't imagine how their families will feel."

He said the woman had been staying at the house for about a month. She went to Cashmere High School and had been a hairdresser in Christchurch.

Mr Rao had been woken by an alarm when the fire broke out.

"I just knew something was really wrong, I just had that feeling," he said.

He woke everyone up and told them to get out, but could not reach the couple.

"I shouted for them but couldn't hear anything except what sounded like stuff falling. The smoke was way too thick to get through so I had to leave. I guess maybe after the power went out they couldn't find the key to unlock the door."

He was still in shock, Mr Rao said. "I know this is going to stay with me for the rest of my life. I know I got people out, but I'm just thinking about how I couldn't save the other two. I keep going over the what ifs in my head."

Police and fire officers were still investigating the fire, which did not appear to be suspicious.

- NZPA