It was a daring rescue straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster - a man risks life and limb to save a helpless victim in distress.
As we reported yesterday, Vikram Singh, a building security guard in Dubai, rescued an elderly woman from her burning flat. Mr Singh, who works at the Art 4 building in the Tecom area of the city, reacted to the fire by running up to the fourth floor of the smoke engulfed building. When he couldn't find anyone to save, he ignored the smoke and kept climbing.
"I rushed to the fifth floor and saw the woman looking dizzy and I carried her on my shoulders," Mr Singh recalled. "I am still in shock over the whole incident."
He may be in shock, but it is thanks to his courageous actions that no one was injured in the blaze, the cause of which is still under investigation.
It was the second time that a fire has started in the same apartment, a worrying sign in itself. Next time, there might not be a hero in waiting.
Mr Singh deserves all the praise he is currently receiving for his brave deed. He credits his upbringing and his family's example for his bravery, but let us hope that the rest of us have some of the same mettle. After all, there is no such thing as an accidental hero. Anyone can choose to look the other way.
