A paramedic found a mask in the trouser pocket of a Sydney shopkeeper accused of starting an inferno that claimed the lives of two adults and a baby, a court has heard.
Adeel Khan is accused of murdering Chris Noble, his neighbour Bianka O'Brien and her baby son Jude, who died in an explosion and fire that started in Khan's Rozelle shop in the early hours of September 4, 2014.
Giving testimony at the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday, intensive care paramedic Helen Ballard said parts of the building collapsed a few minutes after she arrived and a decision was made to get the man out as soon as possible.
Ms Ballard told the court she later found a mask in the pocket of Khan's trousers as she looked for a Medicare card or identification.
"It looked very similar to one of the flu masks but not identical," she said.
"I returned it to his pocket and phoned police."
Senior firefighter Chris Lyons said he first saw Khan under rubble with his feet at unnatural angles to his legs and administered first aid before paramedics arrived.
He said "we're here to get you out" before asking the man, who was originally found pinned under a fridge, for his name, the court heard.
"He replied 'My name's Khan'," Mr Lyons said on Wednesday.
"Then there was a short interlude and he said 'sorry, sorry, sorry'."
A paramedic at the scene determined that Khan was fully conscious at the time he made the comment.
The Crown alleges Khan set his shop on fire in a bid to secure an insurance payout and break his lease obligations.
His barrister, Luke Brasch, has previously told the court a trio of robbers had set up an elaborate network of petrol-filled containers and fuel-soaked wicks in the early hours of the day of the explosion.
He said Khan had been working late on the night of September 3 and let the three men, who he thought were customers, into his shop before they tied him up, blindfolded and robbed him.
Mr Brasch has also played down allegations the man was under extreme financial pressure and had debts of nearly $400,000.
The trial continues.
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