A Russian man who sought asylum within the U.S. three years in the past sparked international reward for rescuing an American flag from a burning dwelling throughout the California wildfires.
Sultan Ramazanov was driving by way of the wildfires in Altadena with a pal on Jan. 7, when he noticed a home engulfed in flames.
He stated he had by no means seen a wildfire and was nervous concerning the metropolis he now calls dwelling.
NEW WILDFIRES ERUPT IN CALIFORNIA AS FLAMES CONTINUE TO RAGE ACROSS LOS ANGELES
“I never saw something like that,” Ramazanov informed Fox Information Digital. “I heard concerning the California fires in 2020, however now it was my first time [being near a wildfire], and you already know, it was actually scary. Once I noticed how the Palisades Hearth moved by way of the mountains, I actually was scared about our metropolis.”
Recognizing the symbolic purple, white and blue flag close to the inferno, he requested his pal to tug over.
“I told my friend, ‘Let me save, at least, the flag,’” Ramazanov stated. “I tried to get it, and it was a little bit hard, it took a few minutes.”
Automobiles and a home burn as highly effective winds unfold devastating wildfires within the Los Angeles space, Jan. 8. (Reuters/David Swanson)
Within the video, he’s seen reaching up amid the heavy, black smoke, fastidiously unhooking the shredded banner from a flag pole in entrance of the house.
The flag was visibly charred on one aspect, with one purple stripe dangling down towards the bottom.
Ramazanov is proven somberly strolling away from the burning dwelling, with the flag’s white stars delicately folded and tucked in his arms.
After the rescue, his pal informed him he captured the heroic motion on video, and Ramazanov determined to share it on Instagram in hopes of connecting with the householders – returning what could also be certainly one of their solely remaining possessions.
Sultan Ramazanov carries an American flag he faraway from a flag pole in entrance of a burning dwelling in Altadena, California, throughout the wildfires. (Newsflare)
“I simply posted it and a few man shared it and stated, ‘Look at this, Jason Statham lookalike saved the American flag,’ and it went viral,” he stated. “It got 10 million views, and it really helped me to find the family who owned the flag. I’m very thankful to the people who shared the video.”
As of Wednesday night time, the publish had greater than 270,000 likes and practically 30,000 shares on the platform.
Whereas Ramazanov acquired a number of rip-off calls from individuals claiming to be the homeowners of the house, he lastly related with its proprietor, a 74-year-old man.
A destroyed retailer after the Eaton Hearth, Tuesday, in Altadena, California. (AP Photograph/Chris Pizzello)
He informed Ramazanov that he was very grateful and stated he had been nervous concerning the flag.
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The pair plan on assembly over the weekend to make the return and study one another’s tales.
“It’s our country’s flag, so that’s why I decided to save it,” Ramazanov stated. “The United States gave us a lot, and I’m very thankful to this country. I almost [have] my documents here, and I got asylum here. Now, the American flag is also a symbol to me and to my family.”
