A mother who was trapped with her three children inside a Commonwealth Bank branch in Springvale as a man set himself and the building on fire thought she would die during the "traumatic" ordeal.
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Phalla Neary Khmer said she was inside the bank with her three children when the man entered, doused himself in petrol and set himself and the bank alight.
She watched on in terror while trapped with her two-year-old son Fighter and teenage daughters Claudia and Angel.
Ms Khmer said her two friends escaped, but she was trapped inside with her children when the emergency door closed.
"It was terrible, all I saw was a man on fire running up and down the hallway," she posted to Facebook.
"His clothes was burnt and dropped off onto the carpet."
Ms Khmer said the moment the door was closed, the lights in the building turned off and everything went pitch black.
"I really thought I was gonna die. I can imagine what happened on 9/11. It was the scariest moment in my life."
While shaken by the ordeal, Ms Khmer praised her daughters for their bravery.
She said Claudia had a chance to escape, but heroically chose to run back inside to call her family, before becoming trapped in a different room.
"My daughter Angel was so clever and brave at that time. She did everything to get fresh air for her baby brother.
"I thank God and good spirits for protecting me and my children that we survive with no injury."
After being released from hospital late on Friday night, she posted to thank her family and friends for their outpouring of support.
"On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all my family & friends for all the calls, texts & visits. It has been a traumatic event, we greatly thank each & every one of you...we are blessed to be home safe & well."
Bonita Wong read about the explosion in Springvale online before she found out her 89-year-old mother Moui was trapped inside.
"A friend saw her [in the bank] and called my brother, who called me," she said. "But my mum had forgotten her phone, so my husband and I called every hospital until we found her.
"It was terrible, so surreal, especially since I read the article first. I couldn't really believe that she was there. I didn't get the call until 12pm, 12.30pm, so we couldn't contact her," she said.
When the business analyst found out she was being treated at Dandenong Hospital, she raced to her bedside.
"She was totally covered in smoke and very dazed. She couldn't talk for a while. She was shocked and overwhelmed," she said.
For help, call Lifeline 131 114, beyondblue 1300 224 636, SuicideLine 1300 651 251 or MensLine 1300 789 978.
