Bahrain: Salesman's Heroism Saves Little Baretto Brothers from Fire

Gulf Daily News

MANAMA, Mar 20: A hero broke into a blazing flat to snatch two children to safety last night. Indian brothers Stanley Barreto, 12, and Gabriel, five, had been left in the flat while their parents were out. A 23-year-old salesman in a tobacco shop below saw flames coming from the flat and realised that the children would be home on their own.

He ran two floors up to the flat, broke the door open and carried the children from their beds to safety.

The Indian hero, who insisted on being named only as Faisal, said it was lucky that he knew the children might be inside, since he often saw the family come and go.

"Previously, we had a lot of people living in the building, but many have left as its condition has deteriorated," he said outside the Aswan Tobacco and Shisha Pipes Store, where he works.

"There are only three flats currently occupied and this makes it easier to notice who enters and who leaves."

He said he had seen the mother go out earlier and knew the children may be inside.

"I jumped to rescue the children without even thinking. It just took me a few seconds to grab a torch from the shop and run to their rescue," he said.

The children's father, Almarai Dairy Company technical co-ordinator Marcal Jose Barreto, said he was at work and his wife had gone out to church, leaving the children watching television.

"The boys called to tell me that the place was on fire and that they were in another room. I doubt they were sleeping, but I thank the person who saved them by risking his life," he said.

"Now we will be staying with friends until we decide whether to go back or move."

Firemen put out the blaze, which broke out at around 6pm. The cause was still under investigation last night. It is understood that other residents were out at the time.