How do people who run back into a burning building to save a pet or child survive?

Question

Occasionally I see news stories like “man runs back into burning house and rescues beloved pet”

However, I’ve also been told that you will most likely die in seconds if you inhale the smoke. I’ve read that in a fire you have to crawl to escape. I’ve read that you have to sprint quickly through the flames if you have a chance (the exact opposite of crawling low?).

In: 223

Answer 1

You hold your breath. You’ve got roughly a minute and a half to get to where you need to go and back. It’s mostly luck if the fire hasn’t engulfed your path. Otherwise it’s doable. But you generally have to give up any idea that you’re gonna get out unscathed.