Pensioner rescues two girls from burning apartment

A pensioner in Komsomolsk-na-Amur rescued two girls from a burning apartment in Komsomolsk-na-Amur on October 8, after hearing children's cries and seeing smoke. The fire, which started due to electrical wiring short-circuiting, killed the mother and four other children.

Consensus

Two girls, aged 6 and 10, were rescued from a burning apartment in Komsomolk-na-Amur on October 8.
The fire occurred in a four-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of a residential building.
The rescuer, Igor Volshtein, a retired locksmith, used a neighboring balcony to reach the children.
The mother and four other children died in the fire.
The fire was caused by an electrical wiring short-circuit, according to preliminary investigation.
The children were taken to medical facilities and are in moderate condition.
A criminal case was opened for causing death by negligence involving two or more people.
The governor of Khabarovsk Krai, Dmitry Demeshin, publicly acknowledged the rescue and promised to personally reward the rescuer.

Points of divergence

The family was on record with child protection services, and possible negligence by authorities is being investigated. — riamo
The 6-year-old girl has thermal burns on her hands and upper airways, and is in a pediatric surgical unit; the 10-year-old has carbon monoxide poisoning, focal pneumonia, and psychological trauma. — fontanka
The rescuer stated he does not consider himself a hero and acted spontaneously. — vesti

Coverage (3 sources)

Pensioner saves two girls from burning apartment in Komsomolsk-on-Amur — РИАМО
Pulled her off the balcony: neighbor saved girls during fire in which mother and four children died — Фонтанка
Children scream, ask for help: neighbor saves girls from fire under Khabarovsk — Вести

Pensioner rescues two girls from burning apartment

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (3 sources)

Key entities

More on Dmitriy Demeshin

More on Maria