Manama: A quick-thinking Kuwait-based journalist saved a family after a fire broke out at their apartment in the Kuwaiti capital.
Gulf | Kuwait
Kuwait hero saves family from apartment fire
Journalist braves flames to help children in neighbouring apartment
- By Habib Toumi Bureau chief
- Published: 16:32 January 3, 2013
Samar Abu Shakir was jogging home when she saw flames coming from her neighbour’s apartment in the Salwa area of Kuwait City.
“I dashed into my own flat, grabbed the fire extinguisher and went into the neighbour’s flat,” she said. “I knew there were children there and I had to move quickly. Thank God, within minutes I was able to put out the fire before it harmed anyone,” she said, quoted by local daily Al Rai on Thursday. Firefighters arrived minutes after the fire was put out.
“We found out that they had their lost their way because they did not have the exact address,” she said. “However, they accepted our blame and were very polite.” The journalist-turned-firefighter said that the fire was caused by the children who were apparently playing with fireworks.
“I call upon concerned officials to reinvigorate the laws that regulate the use of fireworks and to apply a zero-tolerance policy to ensure no-one is hurt and that properties are protected,” she said. “Families should also be trained on safety tools and on the use of fire extinguishers,” she said. Samar attributed her act of bravery to the “accumulation of experiences in a profession loaded with trouble and problems.”
Kuwait
Officer sentenced to death for murder in Kuwait
Pack simply, pack lightly and pack tightly
Kuwait minister’s car impounded for speeding
Kuwait museum joins Google Art Project
Kuwait rules raise bias concerns among expats
Kuwait deports hundreds of traffic offenders
Lawmaker calls for action on indecent swimwear
Kuwait suspends executives over Dow payment
More from Gulf
News Editor's choice
-
Three drown in Dubai and Ajman
Police warn swimmers to check conditions before entering the water
-
Scramble to help Indians workers in Saudi Arabia
External Affairs Minister Khurshid in Jeddah to help over 55,000 workers
-
Arranged marriages rejected by Bihar brides
Empowered girls saying no to 'unsuitable' grooms in social revolution