At lunchtime on Friday 14 July, the emergency services in Tranås were alerted to an apartment fire. It was 4-year-old Rut who had noticed smoke coming from the house and alerted her parents, who in turn called 112. Something Tranås Newspaper have reported on.
– Rut was outside playing, then she saw smoke and told mum and dad that it didn’t look right. Then we saw that we needed to call.
Operations leader Fredrik Larsson believes that Rut’s alarm was significant.
– It was very important that she raised the alarm, otherwise there could have been greater damage to both people and the property there, he says.
The man who lived in the apartment was out of the home when Rut discovered that something was not right, but there were people in the building.
– If he had been inside, it would have been life-changing for her to raise the alarm then and there.
Rut, 4, is praised
Despite Rut’s young age, she raised the alarm, something Fredrik Larsson praises.
– It is fantastic and great to be so aware and be able to warn and tell your parents, he says and continues:
– I have never seen such young children raise the alarm. It’s probably the first time that a 4-year-old has sounded the alarm, that I’ve been out on anyway.
The family has also received nice words after the effort.
– We have met a lot of people who have thought that Rut has been good and we are very proud, me and Rut’s father, says the mother while Rut nods in agreement.
When TV4 Nyheterna asks Rut if it feels good that many people call her a hero, she answers:
– Yes, while she smiles modestly.
“It’s good that you talk to your children”
Hanna Gyalog had talked to her daughter Rut at home about situations like this that could arise.
– We have talked about what to do if there is a fire at home, then they have practiced at the preschool. What to do if there is a fire there. So Rut knew to tell an adult and call 112. Keep it simple but talk to the children honestly about what could happen. It is important.
Fredrik Larsson also urges parents to talk to their children if they notice that something feels wrong.
– It is extremely important and exemplary to talk about how to act in the event of a danger, for example a fire. That one should go under the smoke, warn others and sound the alarm. It is great that you are so far-sighted. Things happen, so it’s good to talk to your children about what might happen.
– Try to make them aware of the risks and dangers that exist, but you must not scare the children. However, tell them about how to act in the event of a fire. That you should alert and warn other people who are in danger. I think that’s great.
The task leader thanks Rut for the help
Fredrik and Rut met at the scene of the fire where he patted her on the head. Now he once again thanks the 4-year-old for her effort.
– Fantastic job. Thanks so much for the help. Without her raising the alarm, there could have been more damage to the property and even people who were in the building would have been in even greater danger. So great job, great, he says.
Rut says that she will celebrate with an ice cream.
– When dad comes home from work, we’ll eat ice cream.