Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho, on Wednesday, sent compliment letters to 2 foreigners for their ‘heroic’ efforts to rescue children in a recent motel blaze.

Representatives from the district authorities honouring Jean Christophe (middle)

In his letter, the municipal government leader highly appreciated and thanked the ‘heroes’ for their good deed which shows courageous spirit and enthusiastic engagement in the rescue.

The ‘heroic’ duo, namely 31-year-old Valeria from Russia and 46-year-old Jean Christophe from France, who were staying at the Lucky Bee homestay, opposite to the Bao Hoang hostel.

At round 10.00am on Tuesday, some local residents reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke rising from the Bao Hoang hostel, located at 398 Kinh Duong Vuong Street, Lien Chieu District.

When the fire broke out, the 12-storey guest house was closed for repairing, so no guests were present inside. However, 2 children of the owners, aged 9 and 6 years old respectively, were trapped in the house, which was locked from outside while their parents were away.

On hearing the screams for help from the local people nearby, the duo dashed to the terrace of the burning hostel and then smashed a window to break into the house in an attempt to save the 2 child victims from almost certain death.

Soon after, 12 firefighters and 2 fire engines were sent to the scene.

By 11.00am on the same day, the blaze had been completely extinguished.

Mr Valeria broke the door to avoid being choked by the smoke, but sustained injury to his hand, suffered suffocation and unconsciousness, and he was then taken to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Doctors from the district’s Medical Centre carefully examined Mr Valeria’s health condition right at his residence.

Also on Wednesday, the duo received Certificates of Merits and a reward of 1 million VND each from the Lien Chieu District Authorities at a thank-you ceremony.

“At that time, like everybody else at the scene, I just wanted to do something to save the two little children before the fire spread quickly. Fortunately, the 2 children are fine,” said Mr Jean Christophe.

The initial investigation found that an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit on the 3rd storey of the motel was to blame for the blaze.