A witness has described his frantic efforts to help victims of the Commonwealth Bank fire in Springvale.
Tradesman Ashley Atkin-Fone was in a lane close to the the building on Springvale Road at about 11.30am when he heard a big explosion and saw black smoke pouring from the bank.
In a video report, he describes the scene of devastation and his efforts to help.
“This kid comes running out, screaming his head off with skin hanging off everywhere.”
“I ran across the road to Optus, grabbed the fire extinguisher and tried to put the fire out.”
Mr Atkin-Fone said he entered the bank but people had already been evacuated from the rear exit as the fire alarms rang.
Twenty-seven people were injured after a man set himself alight in the bank this morning.