Firefighting is certainly not something you’d want to get into without some courage and care for the good of the public. But a fireman in the central city of Wuhan has taken his job to a new level... by carrying a burning gas tank with flames shooting out beside his head as he removed it from the scene of a fire.
Time was not on the firefighters’ side.
With flames right in his face, carrying a badly damaged gas tank that looked ready to explode anytime, the firefighter in the video looked calm and composed.. At least calmer than when he gave this interview.
Huangpu jiangwu, Wuhan Firefighting Dept., said, “I just carried the tank like I would carry any other tanks. Yeah, there was fire coming out the top but I didn’t think too much about it. There was a bit of wind and the fire brushed against my face. It kind of felt like how I’m blushing while you interview me.”
Though Huangpu didn’t think it was a big deal, that’s not the case for the tens of thousands of netizens who have seen this picture.
An outpouring of support and applause not just for Huangpu but the firefighter community followed.
And when people got wind of Huangpu’s single status, many just couldn’t resist the idea of him being the white knight in shining armor.
After interviewing Huangpu and his colleagues, we got to know that life or death situations are the norm rather the exception when it comes to fighting fires.
"Whenever we encounter situations where gas tanks catch on fire, we always carry them out of the scene immediately in order to prevent further damages to people’s lives and property,” said Liang Yizhou, Wuhan Firefighting Dept..
We asked Huangpu now looking back whether he would do it again, well, let’s say it shouldn’t even be a question.
“Of course, I would do it again. Not only because I am a fireman, it’s instinct. Even If I don’t do it, I believe others will. When I can save lives, I will and must do it,”Huangpu Jiangwu said.
It’s back to work for Huangpu and his colleagues, but now he has the prayers, blessings and appreciation of many more people all across the country.