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This is the moment a woman hangs from an air conditioning unit on the 13th floor of a burning apartment block to rescue her mother and her four-year-old cousin.
The fire broke out in an apartment in the Joao Batista Cunha Building in the central region of Cascavel, western Parana, in Brazil, on the morning of 15th October.
Images posted on social media show 28-year-old lawyer Juliane Suellem Vieira dos Reis clinging to the air conditioning support outside her window as flames and thick smoke pour from the apartment behind her.
Juliane reportedly helped her mother, Sueli Vieira dos Reis, 51, and her second cousin Pietro Jose Dalmagro, 4, to safety by passing them to residents on the floor below.
The video shows her standing on the air conditioning unit and handing one of them to neighbours in the flat below.
After handing over the child and her mother, she reportedly returned into the burning flat before firefighters pulled her out through a window.
According to the Fire Department, Juliane suffered burns over 90 per cent of her body and soot inhalation.
She received first aid at the scene before being taken to the University Hospital of Western Parana (HUOP) in critical condition.
Doctors said she remains in the Intensive Care Unit, undergoing treatment under a severe burns protocol and is awaiting transfer to a specialised hospital in Londrina or Curitiba.
Her mother suffered burns to her face, airways, arms, and legs and was intubated and sedated at Sao Lucas Hospital Centre.
Pietro was also intubated with burns to his pelvis, legs, and hands.
According to local reports, the family had been asleep when the fire started at around 6.45 am.
Another relative, the boy’s mother, had gone to the gym and was not at home at the time.
Neighbours said they heard screams and saw smoke before rushing to help.
A neighbour named as Patrick de Andrade, who lives on the same floor, said: “She was hanging and leaning against the air conditioning box.
"She was tired, but she was able to stay upright, so it was more of a job to calm her down, because we were afraid she would try to get down, we wouldn’t be able to catch her and she would fall.”
Firefighters Sergeant Migliorini and Corporal Batista, who entered the burning apartment to rescue Juliane, were also injured.
Sergeant Migliorini suffered burns to his arms, hands, and back and was hospitalised, while his colleague sustained burns to his hands and was discharged after treatment.
Second Lieutenant Ananias Maciel said: “The apartment was completely engulfed in flames, but the sergeant ran through the fire, found the victim, and pulled her out. He came out of the apartment on fire.
"We threw a blanket over him to put out the fire, and he still wanted to go back in to see if there were any more victims.”
Three other men aged 32, 36, and 54 who helped in the rescue were treated by paramedics after inhaling smoke.
The flames were contained before they could spread to other apartments.
The building was evacuated, and the damaged apartment was later sealed for technical inspection.
Experts suspect the blaze started accidentally between the kitchen and the living room.
The investigation is expected to conclude within two months.
Juliane, a practising lawyer and CrossFit enthusiast, was described by friends as brave and selfless.
Her friend Jeferson Esposito said: “Ju has always been practical, able to solve problems. And the fact that she saved her mother and cousin sums up who she is.”
(Joe Golder/ newsX)
Byline Journalist: Joseph Golder
Byline Sub editor: Marija Stojkoska
Byline Spotter: Ivica Stojanovski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Joseph Golder
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Video Editor: David Stojkovic
Byline Copychecker: Angela Trajkovska
Byline Illustrator: Angela Trajkovska
Byline News Editor: Joseph Golder
Geography: Cascavel
Subject: Accidents, Accidents Involving People, Building Accidents, Emergency, Fires
T4 Editor Story Rating: 7
T4 Editor Pic/Vid rating: 7
T4 Total rating: 7
