Heroic 26YO Firefighter Rescues People During Fire But Dies After Building Collapses On Him

2019-12-05 , 8:00 am

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Not all heroes wear capes or fancy suits.

In fact, some real-life heroes I know are just your local law enforcement.

How many can say they would charge head-first into dangerous situations despite knowing their life could be at risk?

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At the very least, some would hesitate. I know I definitely would.

It’s always a tragedy when such heroes pass on in the line of duty.

Unfortunately today, we have to tell one of those stories.

We hate to see this happen, but reality is often harsh.

According to Mothership, 26-year-old firefighter, Zhang Wei Jie passed away on 25 November.

26 is where people’s lives start. No one should have to pass away that young.

People barely finish university at that age.

Zhang and a team of firefighters responded to a fire that had broken out in the Cangshan district of Fuzhou, China on that day.

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Despite stabilising the fire by 6.30am, a group of people was reportedly still trapped inside around 7.30am.

Zhang took the initiative and went in to save the group.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck shortly after.

Likely due to the fire messing with the structure, the building collapsed and trapped Zhang in with the same group of victims.

It wasn’t till 8.30am where the firefighters managed to rescue the people who were stuck inside the rubble.

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Zhang would only be rescued later at 9.58am.

Unfortunately, he passed away that same afternoon despite being sent to the hospital as soon as possible.

The encouragements of telling him to hang in there in the video are even more painful to hear now.

Even though he might be gone, his acts of heroism have not gone unforgotten.

Despite his young age, Zhang has been in this line of work for a rather long time.

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According to the Beijing Youth Times, he actually joined the forces in 2011.

That means he was only 18 years old when he started.

He was barely even an adult, much respect!

He was said to have saved over 300 lives and responded to over 1,200 firefighting rescue operations.

Zhang has also been awarded medals for his work as recognition for his efforts.

We hope that he will rest in peace and condolences to his friends and loved ones.

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At the very least, let us be proud of the lives he has saved and honour this heroic man.