A baby boy is recovering in hospital after firefighters pulled him from a burning house in Rockhampton overnight.
Police officers who were first on the scene at the home in Bramble Street, Norman Gardens, helped a man and four other children escape the blaze, but were unable to get to the 18-month-old despite repeated attempts.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Area Commander Brad Stockwell said it was a brave effort by the police officers, who were treated on scene for smoke inhalation.
"They were forced back due to the smoke and flames," he said.
"But we do commend their actions,"
Commander Stockwell said fire crews were advised en route that one person was unaccounted for.
Once they were on the on scene, police gave firefighters vital information about how to locate the child's bedroom.
"Their determined and committed actions prevented the possibility of a tragic incident last night," Commander Stockwell said.
"They quickly saved the child from the bedroom adjacent to the room on fire, and he was conscious and breathing when they brought him out."
Commander Stockwell said the fire started on a mattress in the main bedroom and was likely accidental.
It may have been the result of a child playing with a lighter.
Station officer Brett Williams said the two firefighters who entered the home, Mitchell Beehag and Brendon Bell, had years of experience in the job.
"Within a minute they had the little fella out, it was quite impressive," he said.
"[The fire] was basically coming out of the master bedroom.
"Another couple of minutes and the house would have been well involved … it would've taken off."
He said the efforts of the police officers were "quite gutsy".
The five children remain in a stable condition in the Rockhampton hospital.
