Trung Van Nam is praised for saving a life. Photo: VOV

In a letter of commendation sent on Thursday to Mr. Nam, who is residing in Hanoi, President Phuc thanked him, saying this man saved a family from losing their loved one with his bravery, kindheartedness, and good health.

The President extended sympathy to Mr. Vu Manh Cuong's family over the property damage caused by the fire, but said he is lucky as his family members are alive.

The President congratulated Vu Hai Yen, who had just been saved by Mr. Nam, and asked the Health Department to take care of her physical and mental health.

In the letter, the President also thanked and commended the officers and soldiers of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Team, the Police of Tuong Mai Ward, the Police of Hoang Mai District and those who helped save Yen and extinguish the fire.

President Phuc urged businesses, agencies, and households to take fire prevention more seriously under the instructions of functional agencies.

The old house is burnt down (Photo: vov.vn)

The 34-year-old air-conditioner repairman was having lunch when he heard people nearby shouting about the flame rising from a two-story old house on Luong Khanh Thien street Wednesday noon. He immediately ran out and discovered that the house opposite was engulfed in flames.

Nam approached the burning house and used the fire extinguisher, but the fire was getting bigger and bigger. So he tried to climb up to the second floor, Nam told reporters. The burning house was tightly closed and the only entrance was a window with iron bars that could only fit one person. Nam used both hands to vibrate it to check its firmness before trying his best to kick it out.

"At that time, I couldn't see anything. I raised my hand to wave and touched the right girl. I was quite tired, I just tried my best to get her out," Nam said. When he dragged the girl meters away, the blaze began to burn fiercely.

When the girl was taken out by Nam, the fire department's crane truck was already waiting to take her down for emergency rescue.