In a harrowing ordeal that unfolded in Aberdeen, Scotland, a brave mother, Grace Chidubem Ekohwo, and her three-week-old son, Gabriel, faced a life-threatening flat fire. The blaze erupted unexpectedly, sending thick, suffocating smoke billowing through their building. Reacting swiftly, Grace grabbed her infant son and rushed to the bathroom, covering his head with a wet towel to protect him from the acrid smoke. Desperation surged through her as she frantically tried to open windows, but only succeeded in opening the one in the bedroom where she and Gabriel were trapped. With each passing moment, the smoke grew thicker, enveloping them in a suffocating embrace. Determined to escape the perilous situation, Grace used the light from her phone as a beacon, signaling her presence to authorities outside. Firefighters and police responded with remarkable speed, deploying a ladder to the bedroom window. Baby Gabriel was swiftly rescued and rushed to an ambulance for immediate care. Grace, still trapped within the smoke-filled flat, was then safely brought down the ladder. Tragically, two sisters, Aanchal and Shikshya Subedi, lost their lives in the devastating inferno. In the aftermath of the fire, Grace expressed her deep gratitude to The Archie Foundation, a local charity that extended invaluable support to her family during their time of need. With their flat rendered uninhabitable by the flames, Grace and Gabriel would have been left homeless without the foundation’s intervention. They found temporary shelter at the organization’s Family Centre, which provides free accommodation, laundry facilities, and a lounge for families with children undergoing hospital treatment. The foundation also generously provided a much-needed two-in-one travel system pushchair for Gabriel, replacing the one lost in the fire. Grace’s heartfelt words convey the profound impact of The Archie Foundation’s assistance: ‘We are tremendously excited and very grateful. I and my family are feeling very relieved. We feel very loved and cared for by Archie Foundation.’ The foundation’s unwavering support has undoubtedly made a world of difference in the lives of Grace, Gabriel, and their family, providing them with hope and solace during a challenging time.
Mother and Infant Rescued from Devastating Flat Fire in Aberdeen
