47 year old
Baljeet Singh He is being treated in the burns unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital after suffering burns to about 70 per cent of his body in a fire at the Mustard Seed restaurant in Hahndorf on Tuesday night.
Family members said Singh acted without hesitation when a fire suddenly broke out inside the compound, Australia Today reported.
His brother-in-law Inderjit Singh told 7News that when the flames spread in the building, Baljit pushed his sister Satbir away.
Indrajit said, “My brother-in-law… I got very angry at him and he saved my wife. He is a brave man.”
According to the family, the couple had gone inside the restaurant after hearing an unusual sound when suddenly flames started rising.
Indrajit said: “Suddenly a big fire lit up… He pushed my wife and he got burnt to a great extent, and my wife also got burnt.”
Baljeet Singh has undergone emergency surgery as doctors continue efforts to stabilize his condition. His relatives described his injuries as extremely serious and said they were hopeful of his recovery.
The family said, “His entire skin is burnt… his entire body is 70 per cent burnt. He is a tough man and we are praying for him.”
The family is grappling with the trauma while also battling online rumors that they were involved in setting the fire.
Indrajit said, “I am very saddened by the rumors and speculations.”
He further said, “It is really devastating because right now we are going through a lot of pain and mental pressure.”
Mustard Seed Restaurant owners said the establishment is more than a business, calling it a second home built on memories and regular customers.
South Australian police are still investigating the cause of the fire. The family have also raised concerns that the fire may be suspicious and have urged anyone with information or CCTV footage to assist investigators.
