Escaping Hong Kong Fire with Baby Wrapped in Wet Blanket... Filipino Domestic Helper Sacrifices Herself

Saved a 3-Month-Old Baby Amid Disaster That Claimed 159 Lives

A Filipino domestic helper has moved many after it was revealed that she escaped through the flames while holding a 3-month-old baby in her arms during the deadliest fire disaster in Hong Kong, which claimed 159 lives.

Rodolfa Alcaraz, a Filipino domestic helper, wrapped a 3-month-old baby in a wet blanket to rescue the child from a fire in Hong Kong. Photo by SCMP

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on December 4 (local time), Rodolfa Alcaraz, a 27-year-old from the Philippines, arrived in Hong Kong on November 25 and began working as a domestic helper at an apartment in Wong Fuk Court, Tai Po. She chose to come to Hong Kong to help pay for the education of her five-year-old child and teenage younger brother back home.

However, just one day after she started her job, she faced an unexpected tragedy. She became a victim of the worst fire disaster to occur in Hong Kong in 77 years. Trapped for about three hours in the apartment engulfed in flames, Alcaraz was with her employer and the 3-month-old baby. She wrapped the baby in a wet blanket and attempted to escape, ultimately making it out of the fire. The baby was rescued without serious injuries, but Alcaraz suffered severe damage to her neck and airway and was taken to the hospital unconscious.

Currently, Alcaraz is being treated in the intensive care unit. Her condition is reported to be critical, as she is unable to speak normally or swallow solid food. She reportedly told acquaintances that "the smoke from the fire burned my throat like poison." The employer who was with her is also believed to be in critical condition.

As news of Alcaraz's selfless actions spread, public sentiment in both Hong Kong and the Philippines is growing, with many calling her a "hero." Her younger brother shared that she previously worked in Qatar for several years to support her family.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities have decided to provide compensation of 800,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 150 million won) to the families of foreign domestic helpers who died in the fire. As of the previous day, the death toll from the disaster had reached 159, with 10 of the identified victims being foreign domestic helpers.

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