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10-year-old helps save family from fire in UAE

Abu Dhabi - The boy said he had learned the emergency phone numbers and when he saw his uncle's house burning, they quickly came to his mind.

A 10-year-old Emirati boy used his quick wit and sharp memory to help save a family from a house fire in Al Ain. The moment he saw smoke billowing from his uncle's villa, he remembered the emergency numbers and helped firefighters reach the site on time.

The Grade 4 child, Hamad Obaid Al Rashidi, was honoured recently by Al Ain Police for his bravery and good conduct.

Brigadier-General Muhammad Suhail Al Rashidi, director of Al Ain Police, received the Emirati boy along with his father and thanked him for his efforts and good conduct. "Hamad deserves the honour for saving people's lives and property," said Al Rashidi.

Hamad said he didn't have much knowledge about the civil defence or handling emergency situations, but had witnessed firefighters carrying out a mock rescue operation at their school.

The boy said he had learned the emergency phone numbers and when he saw his uncle's house burning, they quickly came to his mind.

Hamad said he was proud and happy about what he did.

Authorities said the boy was sitting with his family members while playing when he saw the flames coming out of his uncle's house, which is located in their neighborhood in Al Dhahirah area of Al Ain.

He alerted his family members and then immediately called Al Ain Civil Defence using his father's phone.

His family members helped the relatives get out of the burning house before the civil defence teams arrived. No one was injured in the fire. The civil defence said firefighters arrived within a few minutes after being notified about the fire.

First responders said the fire could have gutted the entire house if the little boy hadn't alerted them immediately after spotting the flames.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com