VIC: Kew Cottages worker honoured as a hero for fire rescues

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-1999
VIC: Kew Cottages worker honoured as a hero for fire rescues

MELBOURNE, Aug 23 AAP - A survivor of the Cambodian killing fields relived the horror of
his childhood while saving the lives of disoriented residents in the Kew Cottages fire three
years ago.

His experiences that night when nine intellectually-disabled men died have left 31-year-old
Earpeng Chea, who had 24 residents in his care, too traumatised to work.

But today he was named a hero, winning the rare Star of Courage for his display of
conspicuous bravery when he rescued at least eight of his charges from a burning building in
suburban Melbourne on April 8, 1996.

Some of the residents had multiple disabilities and many were in a deep sleep when the fire
broke out.

Today Mr Chea played down his heroism, but welcomed the award.

"I'm very honoured to receive it; I don't see much of the bravery in myself," he said.

Mr Chea, of east suburban Forest Hill, will become the 100th recipient of the award at a
ceremony at Government House on October 1.

He will be entitled to add the initials SC to his name.

For the Cambodian refugee, who came to Australia in 1982, his role as rescuer in the fire
brought back painful memories.

"What I went through when I was young - a lot of loss ... I respect the value of life a
lot," a tearful Mr Chea said.

Recalling the night of the fire, he said: "It was very chaotic: at the time I tried to do
as much as I could."

Mr Chea sprang into action when he was alerted by the night coordinator telling him to
evacuate the building.

He began running through the flats banging on doors to alert the 24 male residents.

Seconds later the fire alarm went off and flames licked the ceiling near the men's
bedrooms.

Mr Chea to crawl under the smoke to the bedrooms but was forced to retreat.

He entered another corridor, went into a bedroom and grabbed two residents - one of them
visually impaired, then guided them to the front door and forced both from the building.

Battling the smoke, he rescued four more men before running outside and falling to the
ground.

As he gulped fresh air, he noticed a closed bedroom window - and returned to the building,
ensuring two more people were saved.

Overcome again by smoke, he was taken outside by another rescuer.

Once more he tried to return to the building, but the fire was out of control.

"In that situation, I'm sure that people would've done the same thing," he said.

Mr Chea will accept his award, given as one of the bi-annual Australian Bravery
Decorations, from Victorian Governor Sir James Gobbo.

AAP/sub

KEYWORD: BRAVERY CHEA

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