AN elderly couple have been rescued by two quick-thinking police officers overnight in Castlemaine.
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The Forest Street house caught alight about 10pm with the two officers - Leading Senior Constable Chad McKenzie and Senior Constable Mark White - being called to the scene.
While one ran into the house to save the couple and their dog, the other turned off gas cylinders and doused the flames with a garden hose before the CFA arrived to put the fire out.
Castlemaine Police Sergeant Maree Purdon said their actions helped avoid what could have been a fatal house fire.
"The elderly female was actually asleep at the time and the man was quite disoriented," she said.
“Their quick attendance definitely helped avert what could have been a very serious fire. They've potentially saved two lives."
The officers helped the couple, aged in their 80s, to ambulances before calling their insurance agency to help arrange accommodation.
One of the officers was taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
It's believed the fire was started by an electrical fault. CFA investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the fire.