Dubai: Dubai Civil Defence honoured a team of paramedics for their heroism in rescuing three people from a burning villa last month.
A team of paramedics from the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) rescued an Emirati family of three, including an elderly woman and a child, from a burning villa in Al Manar area.
The paramedic and the ambulance driver reached the fire ahead of the firefighters and saved the three victims trapped inside the villa within four minutes.
Major-General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, director-general of Dubai Civil Defence, praised the role of the men who saved the family.
“Their fast response helped save lives. All Dubai government institutions work as one team to provide safety to the public round the clock,” Maj-Gen Al Matroushi said.
Driver Jalal Abadi ran into the house and rescued a little girl who was trapped inside the villa while paramedic Nasser Al Marzouqi rescued the family’s nanny who was trapped in the balcony and calling for help and carried her to safety.
They then received the news that an elderly woman was still inside the majlis area and could not move, so Al Marzouqi entered the villa again to rescue her.
The paramedics called for more back-up to treat the three victims for smoke inhalation and minor wounds before they were transferred to Rashid Hospital.
“We reached the site before the Civil Defence because it was closer to us and we couldn’t just stand there and watch three people calling for help without responding,” Abadi told Gulf News. “A minute makes a huge difference in someone’s life.”
Abadi said an incense burner was the cause of the fire.
