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

When you run into a burning building, the heavy amount of smoke can anesthetize your throat, so you don’t feel any pain and think you’re fine. It’s only later, when you get to a doctor or hospital, that you begin to realize the painful damage you’ve done.

FUN FACT: The vast majority of people in the house when a fire starts manage to escape. It’s primarily the people who instinctively run in *after* the fire starts to retrieve someone or something that drive up the number of fatalities.