Sharjah building fire: Friends of man who jumped to death recall how he helped them escape
A Kenyan expat, BK, was among the five people who lost their lives in the recent deadly fire in Sharjah's Al Nahda area. But for his flatmates, BK will forever be remembered not as a victim, but a hero who gave them a chance to live.
The deceased shared an apartment on the 44th floor with ten others. According to roommate and close friend Aby, BK was the first to notice thick black smoke seeping into their home that morning in the 52-storey high-rise residential tower.
'It was a weekend, so most of us were still asleep when the smoke started coming in,' said Aby. 'All I could hear was BK screaming, asking us to get up quickly and leave the building.'
.
Aby remembers the panic that followed. 'There was thick black smoke everywhere. We were coughing, gasping for breath. We couldn't see anything as the hallway was filled with smoke,' he said. 'BK stayed calm. He told everyone to stay low and cover their faces."
The group tried to flee, but the smoke spread too quickly. Eventually, they were rescued by civil defence personnel.
In the chaos, BK, who was in his thirties, may have spotted what he thought was a way out. According to his flatmates, maintenance cables ran from the top to the base of the building, and he tried to climb down using them.
"Maybe he thought that was the only way out,' said Aby. 'He must have opened the window, seen the cables, and believed he could make it down. But he must have lost his balance and fallen."
Aby said they only found out what happened after the authorities brought them down safely. 'When we reached the ground, there were people everywhere; firefighters and police did their best to help residents. I heard someone had jumped, and later, another flatmate said it was BK. We were all in shock. He was the one who woke us up, the one who made sure we moved quickly.'
BK, who worked at a mall and had previously been a hairstylist, was known among his flatmates as very cheerful, and people loved talking to him because of his humour.
'He was always smiling, always asking how your day went,' said Aby. 'He didn't deserve this end.'
The roommates had moved in just a few months earlier to save on rent. 'He wasn't just a flatmate; we prayed together, cooked together, and laughed every day,' said Aby, his voice breaking. 'I still can't believe he's gone.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah building fire: Friends of man who jumped to death recall how he helped them escape
A Kenyan expat, BK, was among the five people who lost their lives in the recent deadly fire in Sharjah's Al Nahda area. But for his flatmates, BK will forever be remembered not as a victim, but a hero who gave them a chance to live. The deceased shared an apartment on the 44th floor with ten others. According to roommate and close friend Aby, BK was the first to notice thick black smoke seeping into their home that morning in the 52-storey high-rise residential tower. 'It was a weekend, so most of us were still asleep when the smoke started coming in,' said Aby. 'All I could hear was BK screaming, asking us to get up quickly and leave the building.' . Aby remembers the panic that followed. 'There was thick black smoke everywhere. We were coughing, gasping for breath. We couldn't see anything as the hallway was filled with smoke,' he said. 'BK stayed calm. He told everyone to stay low and cover their faces." The group tried to flee, but the smoke spread too quickly. Eventually, they were rescued by civil defence personnel. In the chaos, BK, who was in his thirties, may have spotted what he thought was a way out. According to his flatmates, maintenance cables ran from the top to the base of the building, and he tried to climb down using them. "Maybe he thought that was the only way out,' said Aby. 'He must have opened the window, seen the cables, and believed he could make it down. But he must have lost his balance and fallen." Aby said they only found out what happened after the authorities brought them down safely. 'When we reached the ground, there were people everywhere; firefighters and police did their best to help residents. I heard someone had jumped, and later, another flatmate said it was BK. We were all in shock. He was the one who woke us up, the one who made sure we moved quickly.' BK, who worked at a mall and had previously been a hairstylist, was known among his flatmates as very cheerful, and people loved talking to him because of his humour. 'He was always smiling, always asking how your day went,' said Aby. 'He didn't deserve this end.' The roommates had moved in just a few months earlier to save on rent. 'He wasn't just a flatmate; we prayed together, cooked together, and laughed every day,' said Aby, his voice breaking. 'I still can't believe he's gone.'
Khaleej Times
18-02-2025
- Khaleej Times
Africa's 'bold generation' see bright future at home
AFP met six African students from Generation Z who, from Dakar to Nairobi, and Johannesburg to Abidjan, displayed a realistic optimism and a desire to transform their countries. Born just before or after 2000, these students in urban planning, environment, medicine or biology combine their education with a deep political commitment, far from the stereotype of a self-centred generation cut off from reality. For 24 hours, they allowed an AFP team to share their daily lives. For Dakar native Sokhna Ndeye Merry Sall it began with morning prayer. For Ivorian Marie Elodie Yeo Guefala it was a tour of a cramped student room on the Bingerville campus near Abidjan. Thick fog enveloped the famous Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg when Palesa Molefe went to class at the University of Witwatersrand while Kenyan Geoffrey Mboya made light work of Nairobi's traffic jams riding on the back of a motorcycle taxi. All six of them said they want to stay in their countries to contribute to development. That kind of commitment is not always obvious: nearly six out of 10 young Africans plan to emigrate within three years, primarily to find a job, according to a 2024 study by the South African Ichikowitz Family Foundation. That report was conducted in 16 countries on the continent. In Nigeria, this widespread aspiration for a better life abroad even has its own slang — "japa" — which means "to flee" in Yoruba language. "There's the 'japa' syndrome everybody talks about, but, for me, I mean, I'm a patriot," said Nigerian student Covenant Oluwafemi Odedele. The 21-year-old juggles "marathon days" between medical studies and a project preparing his classmates to enter into the job market. "I just want to do all I can to help develop my country." Senegalese Sall said she is shocked to see many of her young compatriots risking their lives and taking the road of irregular emigration. The 21-year-old student in biology, chemistry and geosciences at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar also talked about the crowded lecture halls and the college years cut short by "political unrest". Her face dimly lit by the flame of a Bunsen burner, Ivorian student Guefala, 25, pointed to the difficulty of studying with frequent power cuts as her laboratory often plunges into darkness. Despite difficulties, the six students all showed a deep desire to transform their countries. And they did not wait until the end of their studies to get involved in community or political life. South African Molefe, 21, raises awareness about the environment with her church. Sall is busy with an association cleaning the cemetery in her Yoff neighbourhood in Dakar. They also agree that their generation is not sufficiently listened to by those in power. "We still have a long way to go," Odedele said. For South African Molefe: "The change I would like to bring is to ensure that the voice of youth is included in every decision-making process." This will translate into "more young people in parliament or among the country's leaders," she said. "Along with all conscious youth, we aspire to have a place in institutions," Senegalese student Sall said. Those demands are significant not least because of the continent's demographics: 70 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is under 30, according to the UN. In 2024, this generation made themselves heard, shaking power with protests in Kenya, driving change in Senegal or no longer listening to the historic parties that emerged from independence, such as the ANC in South Africa. "Young people in Kenya are rising up, they are uniting across all political divides, across all ethnic groups," said Geoffrey Mboya, 24, a social sciences student who participated in the protest movement and wants to become a member of parliament. "Young people from all walks of life are now politically aware," he added. Gen Z "is a bold generation", said Nigerian medical student Odedele, "a generation that believes it can conquer the world, that the world is there to be conquered by it."
Khaleej Times
20-12-2024
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Sheikh Zayed prize winner lights ‘candle of hope' for over 4,000 people in Kenya
After receiving the prestigious Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in 2023, Shamsa Abubakar Fahdil—affectionately known as Mama Shamsa—channelled her share of the $1 million prize into founding the Zayed Micro-enterprise Seed Support Grant initiative in Kenya. Through this program, she has empowered over 4,000 individuals by providing counselling, skills training, and resources to foster sustainable livelihoods and reduce the influence of extremism. 'You do not have to come to the UAE to know the humanitarian legacy and the noble objectives and goals of Sheikh Zayed,' Mama Shamsa told Khaleej Times. 'That is why I named the grant program after him. Sheikh Zayed is known all over Africa, and his legacy is felt around the world.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The Kenyan peace mediator and community mobilizer was recognized for her efforts in nurturing youth in her home country, saving young people from lives of violence, crime, and extremism by offering them counselling, care, and training. Since its launch last year, the grant programme has made a significant impact, benefiting over 4,000 community members through a variety of projects ranging from food and water supply to waste management and tree planting. Mama Shamsa also provides young people and women with a sense of belonging and a supportive community where they can build synergy and resilience, as well as access to opportunities and resources. When asked about the grant's impact, Mama Shamsa shared the story of a 15-year-old single mother in Kenya who, after facing abandonment and societal stigma, learned make-up skills through the programme. With newfound confidence, the young woman launched a small business and is now mentoring other young women in similar situations. Mama Shamsa's connection with the UAE began unexpectedly in 2023 when she received a phone call informing her that she had been selected as a winner of the fourth edition of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. The annual $1 million prize honours individuals and organizations working to advance human fraternity and solidarity across the globe. "I got the shock of my life. I initially thought it was a scam. It took me a while to understand that it was real,' Mama Shamsa said. Her doubts faded when she spoke to the judges. Struck by a profound sense of peace and gratitude, she recalls: 'It felt like God was answering my prayers.' This transformative moment marked the beginning of her deep connection with the UAE, a nation she fondly calls her 'second home.' In Mama Shamsa's society, women often face stigma as single mothers or divorcees, while youth struggle with a lack of role models and financial stability. By focusing on these groups, Mama Shamsa aims to empower individuals who, in turn, strengthen families and communities. Her connection to Sheikh Zayed's vision began at one of the Sheikh Zayed schools in Kenya, where she experienced firsthand the generosity and foresight of the late leader. These institutions provide education, healthcare, and a nurturing environment for orphans. 'The schools give children dignity and hope,' Mama Shamsa shared, adding that they have profoundly influenced her commitment to uplifting communities in need. 'Sheikh Zayed gave us a candle of hope, and it is our responsibility to light it for others,' she added.
