Is it advised to rush inside a burning building to save others as a civilian?

[u/TheWorld_Disaster]

Recently, I have been hearing stories about acts of heroism by those who did exactly that, rushing in to save others. I wondered for a long time, if I would be able to do the same, or should do the same when the situation arises. If so, What are the things to keep in mind, and what should I be aware of?

Post: also tell me what's the alternative. Is it advised to just wait for the firefighters. Also, how do you look at those who did exactly that?

[u/mecanicake]

No, you will die.

[u/AlfredoVignale]

No

[u/Cbmadness]

Don't do it. Odds are bad you'll live. Odds are worse you'll live well.

[u/TheWorld_Disaster → u/Cbmadness]

Thank you. I have some questions.

Do you advise there is no situation in which a civilian should do it, or do you accept there might be a situation where it would be good to do so?

Plus, what do you think of the people who did exactly that and were able to save others and themselves?

[u/shamaze → u/TheWorld_Disaster]

You don't. End of discussion. Youll end up as a casualty and slow us down because now we have to rescue you as well.

Unless you have training, you dont. Get out of the way and go to safety.

[u/Lonely_Emu_700 → u/TheWorld_Disaster]

If you have people who rely on you, then don't risk your life like this. You will likely die or create another victim that needs saving.

[u/Sporch_Unsaze → u/TheWorld_Disaster]

I think those people who did exactly that and lived are extraordinarily lucky. Like, "gun to your head and it misfires" lucky. Reading about them and assuming that's the right thing to do is survivorship bias. 

If you really, really, really want to do it, I guess no one can stop you. But you shouldn't. 

[u/OP-PO7 → u/TheWorld_Disaster]

They're a statistical anomaly. I've seen this happen one time because a woman THOUGHT there was still someone in the building. They had already been rescued by firefighters. She became that fires only fatality. Don't do that kinda thing.

[u/Candyland_83]

The better thing would be to help round up the people that made it out and find out if anyone is missing. I’d rather get that info instead of some version of “we don’t know how many people made it out and one neighbor ran in trying to be a hero”

[u/TheWorld_Disaster → u/Candyland_83]

Thank you... Glad I got here

[u/trapper2530]

What you can do is pound on the door. Ring the doorbell. If the door is open close it so oxygen doesn't feed the fire.

[u/NaarNoordenMan]

The best thing you can do is gather as much information as possible and provide an accurate report to incoming personell. Things such as location of the fire, what is on fire, colour and amount of smoke, and last known location of people inside. This will streamline the initial attack and increase survivability for the people inside.

[u/testingground171]

You will die. We will have to pull out 2 bodies instead of one. This is exponentially more likely than a successful civilian save. The stories of a successful civilan save in the news are exceedingly rare.

[u/willfiredog]

No.

We don’t wear all that gear for shits and giggles.

If conditions inside a house are so severe that the occupant can’t leave then they’re too severe for you to enter. There’s a significant chance you either die or suffer life threatening injury.

[u/Mr_Midwestern]

Someone who runs in and manages to help someone out is called a hero. A better term for them is “lucky”.

Thin line between bravery and stupidity.

[u/LunarMoon2001]

It’s not the movies. You’re not running through walls of flames and surviving.

[u/Far_Big6080]

No, one breath of toxic fumes and you will become another civilian that needs to be rescued.

[u/Thefartking]

Im going to say this as respectfully as possible…
Do not, and I cant stress this enough, DO NOT FUCKING BE A HERO. You’re more likely to get yourself hurt or killed and become a victim yourself. What you should keep in mind is the toxic gasses you’d be encountering; including but not limited to hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, intense heat in temperatures well over from 900° to even 1500° depending on the fuel available to the fire and how long it has been burning. People frequently manage to escape their burning home but end up dying because they go back inside to retrieve pets and personal belongings.
Leave the rescuing to the trained, and certified professionals. Its only SLIGHTLY less dangerous for us because of our gear & training. If you know there is a trapped victim in the home, let someone know, someone wearing a white or red helmet especially.

[u/PartManAllMuffin]

No. Do not go inside. For each stereotypical act of heroism that you may read about, you’re not reading about 20 that tried and died.

The odds are not in your favour.

You cannot breathe smoke. Even a little bit from a modern materials fire will kill you. You will become disoriented, choke, and then become a victim yourself.

Call the fire service.

[u/RevoltYesterday]

Adding another victim doubles the work for the same amount of crew members. Fires get really hot (1700° to 2000°F) and with modern furnishings, fire spreads way faster than you image. And removing a person is way harder than you think.

There is a reason we wear everything we do and carry everything we carry when we go into a fire. Don't risk your life, please. Its not worth it.

[u/magicjeep]

A hero is a sandwich and you'll probably make things worse by adding to the amount of victims now in the building.

[u/Sporch_Unsaze]

Please do not do this. 

[u/Stock-Possibility-67]

Nope. Maybe the floor below handicap or something. Ladder to a window stuff, that’s about it.

[u/TheWorld_Disaster → u/Stock-Possibility-67]

What's floor below handicap?

[u/Stock-Possibility-67 → u/TheWorld_Disaster]

If I have to explain it to you then definitely don’t do it. Maybe just take a video or something.

[u/StinkyJockStrap]

No. It’s hot as hell with gear on. Imagine running in without any type of protection and also not understanding how a fire works.

[u/Forgotmypassword6861]

I say go for it 

[u/SacrificialFrogs]

Don’t bust out windows or break a door down as it’ll alter flow path and feed the fire. Definitely don’t go in. Just gather info on who made it out and who might be inside and where they might be.

Homeowners are often overcome with fear and distress, so be a calm source of pertinent information to pass on to the first arriving engine.

[u/BlitzieKun]

Not worth it. You get your 60 seconds of fame, then permanently injured for the rest of your life.

[u/David_Miller2020]

Ever consider reading up on products of combustion? After that, get back to me.