A couple is fighting for their lives following an assault and fire in Coffs Harbour. A woman in her 40s was also injured in the incident. Emergency services responded to reports of a house fire on Wongala Drive around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

A 41-year-old woman managed to escape the burning home and was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Neighbor Daphne Hoskins witnessed the escape. "Seeing your family's house go up in flames, she just got out with whatever she had on," Ms. Hoskins said.

Another neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, reported hearing a "big bang" before the house became engulfed in flames. Shortly after, police arrived at a nearby home on Raymond Street, where they found an elderly couple with significant head injuries.

Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty described the scene as "horrible." He stated, "The 67-year-old male is currently at Coffs Harbour Hospital in a critical and life-threatening situation. The 60-year-old female is being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital [in Newcastle] and she too is in a critical and life-threatening situation."

Helen Scott, a neighbor of the couple, expressed her shock at the heavy police and ambulance presence in the area. "I just went, 'What the hell is going on here?'" Ms. Scott said. "It's scary, really scary, because they [the couple] are nice people … you don't have any trouble here. It's just unbelievable."

In response to the incidents, police have established a task force to investigate. They have located several items at one of the crime scenes, which are currently undergoing forensic testing.

Authorities reported that a 28-year-old man presented himself at the Coffs Harbour Police Station shortly after the incidents. The properties involved are located within two kilometers of each other. Inspector Flaherty noted, "We've been able to establish linkages between the residents where the fire occurred in Wongala."

The 28-year-old is currently under arrest and is assisting police with their inquiries. Inspector Flaherty added, "He is currently under arrest and we are making further inquiries in relation to his knowledge around these events."

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.