Smoke, panic and a leap for survival
A woman clutching a child beside several other persons jumped from different floors of the five-storey building engulfed in a deadly blaze. Locals enabled the rescue by spreading mattresses on the road to cushion the fall in a desperate attempt to save lives. The woman’s daring leap went viral.
Videos of the rescue efforts surfaced, showing trapped people smashing window panes and desperately calling for help as thick smoke engulfed the premises and flames spread rapidly.
“A woman holding a young child jumped from the third floor after local residents spread mattresses on the ground below in an attempt to save those trapped inside,” a witness said.
Witnesses said the woman landed on one of the mattresses with the child and may have suffered injuries. Both were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
“She was carrying the child tightly and jumped when there was no other way out. People had already arranged mattresses below the building. Both survived, but she appeared to have suffered injuries,” the eyewitness added.
Residents said people from the neighbourhood sprang into action as soon as the fire broke out, with many joining rescue efforts and helping evacuate those trapped inside.
As thick black smoke billowed out of the windows and flames rapidly spread through the building, panic-stricken occupants were seen smashing window panes, leaning out of openings and desperately calling for help. With stairways and internal passages choked by smoke, several guests appeared to have no option but to jump from the upper floors.
Eyewitnesses said at least six people jumped from various floors of the building in a bid to escape the inferno. Among them was a woman carrying a young child in her arms.
“There was chaos everywhere. People were trapped and shouting for help from the windows. Some broke open the glass panes and climbed out. We saw several people jumping from different floors,” said a local resident who joined the rescue effort.
The scary scenes prompted residents and shopkeepers in the area to act before emergency services could fully reach the spot. Mattress shop owners and other locals quickly brought mattresses and blankets onto the narrow road below the building, arranging them side by side to cushion the fall of those attempting to escape.
“The woman was holding the child tightly when she jumped. A few others also jumped shortly before and after her. People below kept repositioning the mattresses wherever someone appeared ready to leap,” another eyewitness said.
Several residents formed human chains, gave instructions to those trapped inside and guided them towards windows from where they could be rescued or make the jump safely. Many people were also seen shouting at people to stop recording videos and help in the rescue efforts.
The sight of people emerging through smoke-filled windows and hurling themselves towards mattresses laid out by residents unfolded before hundreds gathered in the area. Many survivors were seen being carried away by locals and rushed to nearby hospitals. Mohd Sahidul Islam, Aarmin Jaman, Riyana were identified to be among those who jumped to escape the fire.
