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Hero of the Day: Brave Neighbor Rescues Children from Burning Apartment in Paris
WATCH the incredible moment a man risks his life to save his neighbors’ children from a deadly fire in the 18th arrondissement
A stunning act of heroism unfolded in the heart of Paris as a local man risked everything to save the children of his neighbors from a raging fire—dangling between two windows six stories high.
In the 18th arrondissement, Fousseni Sissoko, a resident of the building, was caught on video balancing on a narrow ledge between two windows—his own and that of the burning apartment next door—as he rescued babies and children from the flames.
“When I saw my neighbors trapped and terrified, I didn’t hesitate,” Sissoko told French media. “I jumped out my window and found a spot to put my feet. I spread my legs to stabilize myself and started passing the kids through.”
The dramatic footage shows Sissoko moving calmly but urgently, standing inches from the edge of the building, as he lifts the children to safety through the open windows.
“In the moment, I didn’t think about the danger. Only when I watched the footage later did I realize—I could have died,” he added.
What pushed him to act? “It was the babies,” he said. “When you see them crying, it becomes a question of survival.”
The fire, which broke out in the apartment next to his, quickly engulfed the home. Thanks to Sissoko’s quick thinking and fearless response, an entire family was pulled to safety.
Watch the breathtaking rescue here.