Living torches

Stories of homeowners stoking a furnace and subsequently becoming living torches themselves are not uncommon. For example, a pensioner from Slonim did not close the firebox door, and burning coals fell onto the hearth sheet where firewood was stacked. Within minutes, they ignited. The owner began to extinguish the flames, but his clothes caught fire. In shock, the pensioner ran out onto the porch. The man was incredibly lucky: at that very moment, his brother entered the yard and reacted instantly: he drew water from a barrel and put out the flames. The victim was hospitalized with burns to 40% of his body.

However, a similar story involving a resident of the village of Korenets, Krichev district, ended tragically. The man was lighting a stove using flammable liquids. Not only the firewood but also his clothes caught fire. The pensioner sustained burns incompatible with life.

Due to carelessness, a resident of the village of Monkovichi, Mosty district, suffered. She was warming herself near the stove without closing the firebox door. Her clothes caught fire. As a result, the pensioner was admitted to intensive care with 1st-3rd degree burns.

But more often, the houses themselves become "torches." In February, a fire occurred in the agro-town of Pogost, Berezino district, due to a crack in the chimney. When rescuers arrived at the scene, the structure was engulfed in open flames. Two female pensioners died. A similar incident happened in the village of Dorosino, Lyuban district. Arriving rescuers found the owner in the house with no signs of life.