Talking to Lao Dong this afternoon (March 25), Mr. Nguyen Cong Hiep - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Hoang Mai ward (Hanoi) - acknowledged the courageous act of rescuing people by some people in the fire that occurred in the area.
We are proposing competent authorities to commend individuals who bravely rescued people in the fire" - Mr. Nguyen Cong Hiep said.
According to information from functional agencies, the fire occurred at about 6 pm on March 24, at a 5-story above-ground house, 1 mezzanine floor, 1 attic floor, address No. 3, alley 218 Linh Nam street, Hoang Mai ward.
The fire quickly flared up strongly, thick black smoke spread to the upper floors, trapping people inside.
Talking to reporters, Ms. Trang - the owner of the pharmacy opposite the burning house - said that she immediately called the fire department after discovering the fire.
While waiting for rescue, those trapped inside tried to hold on.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Long - son-in-law of the homeowner, one of the people directly involved in the rescue, when he received the fire report, he immediately ran more than 500m to the scene.
When we arrived, the fire was very large, smoke covered the whole house. My sister-in-law and I rushed in from the 1st floor, but when we got to the 3rd floor, we couldn't continue because it was too hot and smoky," he recounted.
In an emergency situation, he switched direction to the house next door under construction, climbed high to approach from the roof. At the same time, a strange man carrying tools, coordinated with him to break the corrugated iron roof.
In just a few minutes, both created enough space for people inside to escape.
At that time, I didn't have time to think, I just knew I had to do it as quickly as possible," Mr. Long said.
Thanks to the bamboo ladder brought up by people, two elderly people in the family were safely taken out. However, when he knew that there were still young children trapped on the upper floor, Mr. Long continued to return.
When I got my grandparents up, I felt much lighter. But hearing that there were still people inside, I immediately turned back," he said.
In the process of approaching higher floors, Mr. Long met Nguyen Le Tu (born in 2006) - a student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology - who had just returned from the gym and participated in supporting.
Hearing that there were still people trapped, I rushed in immediately, without thinking much," Le Tu recounted.
Initially, Le Tu stood outside holding the ladder. When he knew there were still women and young children inside, Le Tu immediately climbed over the corrugated iron roof and entered the fire area.
Inside, thick smoke made moving very difficult. Finally, Le Tu and Mr. Long approached the 6th floor.
They coordinated to break the escape door, taking the victims out through the corrugated iron roof to the next house in turn.
At about 6:18 pm on the same day, all 7 people (including 2 elderly people and 3 children) were safely taken out and handed over to the medical force. Currently, the health of the victims has stabilized.
During the process of rescuing people, Mr. Long suffered minor burns and scratches on his skin. However, he said that those injuries "are insignificant compared to saving people".
The strange man who participated in breaking the corrugated iron roof then quietly left.
At that time, I was too confused to ask. Now thinking about it, I really want to find it to thank you," Mr. Long shared.
For Mr. Long, the action that many people call "brave" is simply a natural reflex. "The only goal at that time was to save loved ones. Not thinking much, just following instinct," he said.
Amidst the danger of fire, the story of strangers standing side by side to save people has spread strongly. It is not only a brave action, but also a clear proof of the spirit of mutual affection in urban life today.
