Witness questions lone firefighter's response to massive combine fire in Lithuania

A witness has described the dramatic scene of a combine harvester fire in Pikelionys village, Prienai district, Lithuania, emphasizing the bravery of a lone firefighter who initially responded. The witness, who was at a nearby farm with family, reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing a massive cloud of black smoke rise into the sky. Upon arriving at the scene, they observed the combine harvester engulfed in flames. A single fire engine arrived shortly after, and to the witness's surprise, only one firefighter emerged to tackle the blaze, reportedly without even donning a uniform. "He didn't hesitate for a moment – he rushed to extinguish the fire. But the question arises – what can one person do in a disaster of this magnitude?" the witness pondered, questioning the working conditions and safety protocols. The witness felt it was "not only unsafe but also unfair" for a single firefighter to be dispatched to such a call, calling it a "mockery" of those who risk their health and lives daily. While more firefighters arrived minutes later to professionally continue the extinguishing efforts, the witness noted the challenging conditions, including temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, making the firefighter's subsequent illness unsurprising. The witness also voiced disappointment with online comments that speculated about the firefighter's health, with some even suggesting possible intoxication. "It's very easy to comment while sitting on the couch," the witness stated, contrasting it with the difficulty of being at the scene. The witness concluded by thanking the first responders and all firefighters working in extreme conditions, calling them "true heroes whose work often remains undervalued."

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After the explosion, a huge cloud of black smoke instantly rose into the sky. Upon arrival, we saw a combine harvester burning with open flames.