By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-14 16:17:21 | Updated at 2024-11-22 09:40:30
1 week ago
A heroic Navy sailor rescued trapped residents from a burning building after he saw it go up in flames from his car.
Fire tore through an apartment complex in Norfolk, Virginia on Tuesday afternoon, sparked by 'unattended cooking' in a lower floor unit.
Two people were injured and at least 32 are now displaced after the entire building was razed.
But the incident could have been far worse if it weren't for the efforts of Gabriel Journey, a Navy sailor who rushed to the aid of a mother and son who were trapped in the blaze.
'The fire started in the bottom and had spread up, so they were trapped,' Journey told Wavy.
He said he was driving past the building when he noticed the blaze and heard a woman screaming, prompting him to jump out of his car and offer assistance.
'There was a group of about four other gentlemen that were there. I had them lift me up and I climbed up the side of the building and helped get her out,' he said.
'It's what I trained [for] at work on a daily basis, so the number one priority was just getting as many people out as quickly as possible.'
A heroic Navy sailor rescued trapped residents from a burning building after he saw the building go up in flames from his car
Two people were injured and at least 32 are now displaced after the entire building was razed
Fire tore through an apartment complex in Norfolk, Virginia on Tuesday afternoon, sparked by 'unattended cooking' in a lower floor unit
Video shows the moment Journey whisked a woman to safety while himself balancing on a narrow ledge.
Thick, black smoke billowed from the windows as he coaxed the woman into his arms, followed immediately by her son.
Beneath him, other Good Samaritans held their hands in the air in an effort to help catch people as they came out of the building.
The fire tore through the building rapidly due to heavy winds.
Two people were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Journey has been hailed a hero for his actions, and onlookers said he should be awarded for his bravery.
'A true American Hero taking on a challenge wherever and whenever. We salute you Gabe,' one person said.
'Give this man a Medal of Honor an Bravery Salute.'
Beneath him, other Good Samaritans held their hands in the air in an effort to help catch people as they came out of the building
Journey (left) is assigned to a nuclear submarine in Virginia and is a third generation submariner
The fire tore through the building rapidly due to heavy winds. Two people were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries
Journey is assigned to a nuclear submarine in Virginia and is a third generation submariner.
Firefighters determined the building complex could not be salvaged, and tore down what was left of it.
Residents are calling for a thorough investigation into potential electrical issues in the building, noting that multiple separate units have reported problems with their stoves in recent weeks.
Others noted the black smoke indicated the fire was electrical.
