Man Leaps From Fourth-Floor Balcony As Inferno Engulfs Flat Behind Him

This is the moment a man trapped on the balcony of a blazing fourth-floor flat leaps onto an inflatable rescue cushion as firefighters battle to hold back the flames behind him.

The dramatic escape happened at a block of flats on the Kaszubskie estate in Wejherowo, in Poland’s northern Pomeranian region, shortly before 6am on 28 August.

Video shows flames pouring from the apartment as the resident stands on the balcony with the inferno raging just behind him.

A firefighter can be seen directing a powerful jet of water towards the blaze while keeping the hose clear enough for the trapped resident to make his escape.

After hesitating on the balcony, the resident climbs over the railing and jumps towards the inflatable rescue cushion set up by firefighters below.

He lands safely on the cushion before being taken into the care of paramedics.

Firefighters said they had been called to the fourth-floor apartment at 5.48am and arrived to find the property fully ablaze, with flames coming through the windows.

Fire service spokesman Grzegorz Hinz said crews deployed two hose lines, with one attacking the fire from outside and another from inside the building.

He said an aerial platform could not be brought into position, prompting the officer in charge to order firefighters to set up the inflatable rescue cushion.

The rescued resident was taken to hospital as a precaution but firefighters said he had not suffered serious injuries.

Nine other people, including one child, were evacuated from the building while crews tackled the blaze.

Six fire crews took part in the operation.

Firefighters later remained at the scene clearing debris and removing burnt furniture.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

(Newsflash)