Santa comes to rescue of man in burning house

Santa Claus came early this year for one family and rescued a man trapped inside a burning house in Australia.

A group of firefighters were handing out sweets to children on their annual Christmas drive through the streets of Rutherford in the New South Wales on Saturday, when they smelled smoke coming from a nearby house.

The team from the Telarah fire crew swung into action including firefighter Nick Carey who was still dressed in his Santa Claus outfit.

A man in his twenties had slumped unconscious inside the house, and Carey rushed to provide first aid to the man before the ambulance arrived.

The fire victim was transferred to a local hospital where he was said to be recovering in a stable condition today.

The dramatic rescue was captured by local resident Michael Johnson who was filming on his phone.

Mr Johnson praised the courage of the firefighters and said the young man was extremely lucky they just happened to be in the neighbourhood.