A Bahraini policewoman who rescued a grandmother and her two grandchildren from a smoke-filled burning home has been recognised for her bravery.
Corporal Sharifa Riyad Ahmed helped swiftly guide the family to safety as toxic fumes burnt her lungs and left her gasping for breath.
“While I was on duty a fire broke out in a house in Hamad Town in February and the smoke was everywhere,” she told the GDN. “When I learned that two kids and a woman were still inside, I rushed towards a bedroom to secure a safe exit for them so they could leave the house,” she explained.
The grandmother and children – a four-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy – did not sustain any injuries, burns or complications from the fire and were completely unharmed but the brave officer ended up suffering from breathing difficulties and acute pneumonia caused by inhaling the thick smoke as she attempted to reach them.
“In my case, I suffered from breathing difficulties and some side effects such as acute pneumonia and I couldn’t stop coughing,” she said. “But, by the grace of God, I have recovered.
“I’m proud to be a member of the public security forces and to have carried out a humanitarian act. Helping people comes as part of our duties which we promised to fulfil when we recited the oath.”
Ms Ahmed joined the police force in 2013 and believes intensive training courses gave her the skills to successfully act at a time of emergency when every second counts. She now works for the Ministry’s General Directorate for Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing.
She was recently honoured for her act of heroism by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who praised her courage and swift response in dealing with the incident.
Interior Ministry statistics from January indicate that 64 per cent of all patrol police response cases were related to fire, first aid or community service incidents.
At the time, Gen Shaikh Rashid urged people to adhere to all public safety requirements and regulations to help prevent such home disasters.
In an advisory, the ministry warned that fires can be caused by negligence or poorly-maintained buildings, and that electrical wirings should be constantly checked. Faulty outlets and appliances are among the main causes of disaster. Sub-standard extension wires also pose a risk, especially if overloaded with multiple devices such as heaters, ovens and other appliances.
In March, Civil Defence rescued a nine-year-old Bahraini from a burning home in Hamad Town, but he died in the hospital from his injuries, as reported in the GDN.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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