A South Australian man has recalled the moment he smashed open the second-floor window of a burning Adelaide massage business to save himself and workers trapped inside.
Another worker made a desperate dash through a wall of fire, which police believe was deliberately lit.
Customer Ramzi Assaf said he hit the glass “10 or 12 times” when the building erupted in flames.
“I told the girls to follow me, all of them, before we all die,” Mr Assaf said.
He was inside the massage business off Rundle Street when the fire broke out about 6pm on Wednesday night, trapping five people inside.
“They were all crying and screaming and sitting at the corner at the end of the corridor,” he said.
Mr Asaff rushed to find a way out as the building filled with thick smoke.
“I went out, there is no way we can leave … because the main entrance was all fire, all over it outside,” he said.
Onlookers were quick to help from below, pushing industrial bins against the wall.
Dale Thompson from the Metro Fire Service said there weren’t “too many injuries”.
“There was a little bit of smoke inhalation and one gentleman escaped with minor cuts to his arms where he broke a window,” he said.
One woman who escaped the building was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police have charged a 37-year-old woman of no fixed address with arson.
The business, which suffered $200,000 in damage, will be closed for weeks.
The workers are still shaken by the ordeal.
“They feel still very shocked and panicked because they don’t know what to do,” owner Princy Diaosurin said.
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, including reviewing security video from neighbouring businesses.
The 37-year-old woman appeared via video link at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.
She made no application for bail and will remain in custody until she faces court again next month.