Fires are one of the most destructive things that can happen to a building as it spreads extremely fast and produces such thick and heavy smoke that the people trapped inside have little to no way of escaping. Some are even known to have jumped off buildings to their death rather than burning or suffocating to death inside.
However, the residents in a burning building in northeastern China did not have to resort to extreme measures as they were saved by a 19-year-old hero who happened to be at the site when the fire broke out on 2nd May.
Lan Junze, a young crane operator, was on duty at a construction site in Fushun, Liaoning province when he saw that a residential building nearby had gone up in flames.
Source: YouTube
According to Sohu News, the fire started from a grocery store on the first floor, and very quickly spread to the rest of the floors in the seven-storey building. The smoke produced by the fire became so heavy that the residents struggled to escape their apartments.
Fortunately, they managed to escape the building when Lan rescued them from the upper floors of the building with his crane.
Despite the difficulties that Lan faced during the rescue like his view being obstructed by smoke, and electric wires blocking the crane, he managed to save 14 people within 30 minutes!
Source: YouTube
“At that time, I only wanted to save people,” he said.
“I didn’t think of anything else. I didn’t have the time.”
Two days later on 4th May, China’s Youth Day, Lan was recognized for his heroic act, with his name and story being widely circulated online. Netizens called him the “Crane Man”.
Furthermore, Xinhua reported that the local government and Fushun Women’s Federation awarded his family with the honorary title “Best Family” on 12th May.
Source: YouTube
“My parents have educated me since I was a child. When others face difficulty, I must lend a helping hand. This is what I should do. Now everyone is safe!” said Lan.
Netizens have since showered Lan with praise, with some saying that he deserves cash as a reward and that he deserves to be called a hero, while others expressed the opinion that the fire safety standards for constructions should be improved.
You can watch Lan in action here:
What Lan did was indeed such a heroic act, and he truly deserves to be rewarded for saving so many people’s lives.
Also read: Heroic Young M’sian Teacher Sacrifices Life To Save Her Colleagues From Deadly Fire
