Sharjah Civil Defence honours citizen for heroic fire rescue

Sharjah: An Emirati Amer Ali Al Qadri was honoured by the Sharjah Civil Defence for rescuing an elderly woman and a housemaid from a house fire in the Wasit area in the Emirate.

Speaking to Gulf News, Al Qadri recounted the dramatic events of that evening. Around 8pm, while driving home from a wedding in Ajman and planning to pick up his children, he encountered an unexpected emergency. As he passed through Wasit, he saw a housemaid on the street frantically calling for help. She was terrified and said an elderly woman was still trapped inside a burning home.

Without hesitation, Al Qadri stopped his car and immediately called the police and Civil Defence. After learning where the woman was, he ran straight into the house, where flames had already engulfed parts of the living room, including the air conditioner and TV. Thick smoke filled the space, making visibility and breathing difficult.

Quick thinking

Thinking quickly, Al Qadri asked where the main electric switch was and turned off the power. He then located a fire hose and used it to contain the fire as best he could while waiting for emergency responders.

Despite the heavy smoke, he successfully led both the housemaid and the elderly woman outside to safety. Moments later, Sharjah Civil Defence teams arrived and fully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage and potential tragedy.

Thanks to Al Qadri’s swift action and courage, no lives were lost.

In recognition of his heroic efforts, Brigadier Yusuf Obeid Bin Harmoul Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, presented Al Qadri with an award. He praised Al Qadri’s courage and commitment to public safety, stating, “This honour reflects our dedication to encouraging social responsibility and recognising individuals who go above and beyond to protect lives and property.”

The elderly woman’s family arrived shortly after the rescue, deeply grateful for Al Qadri’s bravery.

Brigadier Al Shamsi emphasised that in times of crisis, true character shines through and Al Qadri’s actions stand as a powerful example for the entire community.