DUBAI // Emergency responders in Dubai rescued an Emirati girl, her grandmother and a maid from a burning villa in Al Manara area last week.
The paramedic and ambulance driver from Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services arrived at the villa on Friday four minutes after receiving the report about the blaze, caused by burning incense.
“We arrived at the scene to find five family members outside the villa screaming and asking for help,” said Salem Al Marzouqi, one of the paramedics. “All of them were pointing to the villa, saying three people were still trapped inside.”
The driver, Jalal Abadi, and Mr Al Marzouqi entered the villa to rescue those still inside.
“I rushed to help the maid, who was stuck on the balcony and screaming for help,” Mr Al Marzouqi said. “Mr Abadi carried the child and took her outside the burning villa.”
Family members told them a woman in her late 50s was still inside.
“We entered the villa again and found the elderly woman in the majlis area. She was unable to breathe,” Mr Al Marzouqi said. “Thankfully, we saved her in the last minute.”
The three rescued sustained minor injuries and suffered smoke inhalation. They were taken to Rashid Hospital.
The ambulance team were close to the villa at the time of the fire, so they reached the location before civil defence, said Mohammed Mohsen, who managed the emergency response.
“We couldn’t wait, as a minute makes a huge difference in saving a person’s life,” Mr Mohsen said.
Dubai Civil Defence have warned residents about the risks of fire while preparing iftar and suhoor meals. Last year, 15 fires broke out in Dubai during Ramadan, compared with 20 the year before and 27 in 2014.
nalramahi@thenational.ae
