Off-Duty Officer Bravely Rescues Elderly Woman from Burning Home in South Korea

An off-duty police officer has been lauded for his bravery after rescuing an elderly woman from a house fire in Naju, South Korea. The incident occurred on May 25 in a village in Gongsan-myeon.

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I ran in because I heard there was still a person inside the house.

Officer Yu Myeong-jae, who was off-duty at the time, rushed to the scene upon hearing about the fire. He learned that a resident was still trapped inside the burning structure. Without hesitation, Yu entered the flames and located the 80-year-old woman, whom he then safely escorted out.

The fire had begun in one house and was rapidly spreading due to strong winds, posing a significant risk to the surrounding area. Yu's swift actions not only saved the woman's life but also helped contain the blaze, preventing a larger disaster. He expressed humility, stating he was merely doing his duty as an officer, and relief that the situation was resolved without further harm.

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The grandmother was inside, so I quickly brought her out.

Video footage of the rescue, titled 'Major Fire Breaks Out, There is a Person Inside the House,' was later uploaded to the official YouTube channel of the National Police Agency, drawing praise from netizens who commended his courage and quick thinking.

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It was just my duty as a police officer, and I feel a bit embarrassed that it became known. I'm just glad it was resolved well.