Mock fire drill at school helps 10-yr-old save family from fire

abu dhabi — The moment Hamad Obaid Al Rashidi saw smoke billowing from his uncle’s villa in Al Ain, he rushed to dial emergency numbers and get the firefighters to reach the site on time.

The 10-year-old Emirati boy credits a mock rescue operation he witnessed at his school for his quick thinking.

Hamad, the Grade 4 student, was honoured recently by Al Ain Police for his bravery and good conduct.

Brigadier-General Muhammad Suhail Al Rashidi, director of Al Ain Police, received the Emirati boy along with his father and thanked him for his efforts and good conduct. “Hamad deserves the honour for saving people’s lives and property,” said Al Rashidi.

The boy said he didn’t have much knowledge about the civil defence or handling emergency situations, but he learned emergency phone numbers after witnessing the mock drill at his school. He added that when he saw his uncle’s house burning, it quickly came to his mind. Hamad said he was proud and happy about what he did.

Authorities said the boy was sitting with his family members while playing when he saw the flames coming out of his uncle’s house, which is located in their neighbourhood in Al Dhahirah area of Al Ain.

He alerted his family members and then immediately called Al Ain Civil Defence using his father’s phone.

His family members helped the relatives get out of the burning house before the civil defence teams arrived.

No one was injured in the fire. The civil defence said firefighters arrived within a few minutes after being notified about the fire.

First responderds of the area said the fire could have gutted the entire house if the little boy hadn’t alerted them immediately after spotting the flames.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com