A man in his 20s falls from the 7th-floor balcony of an apartment on fire... Residents catch him with blankets

Six Adults Spread Blankets to Catch at the Scene
No Threat to Life

Cheongju fire scene. /Photo by Chungbuk Fire Headquarters

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] Residents saved the life of a man in his 20s who fell from the 7th floor of an apartment where a fire broke out by catching him with a blanket.

According to the Cheongju Dongbu Fire Station, a fire occurred around 10:34 a.m. on the 12th at the home of Mr. A (25) on the 7th floor of an apartment in Geumcheon-dong, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk.

When smoke spread inside the house, Mr. A hung onto the veranda window frame and called for help. Seeing this, residents brought out blankets from their homes, and six adults at the scene held the blankets tightly and spread them out. Mr. A fell onto the blankets.

Mr. A sustained rib injuries and is receiving treatment at a hospital, but it is reported that his life is not in danger. Fourteen residents were also treated for smoke inhalation and injuries sustained during evacuation.

The fire burned the interior of Mr. A’s home, causing damage estimated at around 60 million won (according to the fire station), and was extinguished within about 20 minutes.

The police are investigating the exact cause of the fire, which is believed to have started due to overheating of an electric scooter that was charging near the apartment entrance, based on Mr. A’s statement that smoke originated from that area.

A Dongbu Fire Station official said, "While the rescue team that arrived was preparing an air mattress in case Mr. A fell, residents caught him with blankets when he fell," adding, "Neighbors saved a life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.