Remigiusz Janus was a firefighter in Poland before he came to Canada and that training came in handy on April 16.
Janus, who lives in a fourth-floor apartment at 5560 Inman Ave., smelled a fire in Bulgarian neighbour Iliya Mochev's suite and fought through the flames and smoke to rescue Mochev.
On Wednesday, Burnaby Fire Chief Shaun Redmond presented Janus with a certificate for his heroic efforts.
"What he did was significant and worthy of recognition," said Redmond. "While we recommend people let us fight the fire, we are very thankful that Mr. Janus did what he did. He probably saved Mr. Mochev's life."
Mochev was cooking in his apartment when he took a fall and couldn't get up.
The pot left on the stove continued cooking, and soon a fire started in the small apartment.
Janus called the fire department and was told he should leave the building immediately. But Janus decided to use his old firefighter training and put himself in harm's way.
"He decided to go back for Mr. Mochev," said Dave Wensley, an inspector with the Burnaby Fire Department. "He entered the suite with heavy, heavy black smoke. He went in as far as he could and decided to turn back when he couldn't locate his neighbour. It was then that he stepped on Mr. Mochev, and then he dragged him out and took him down the four floors."
"It wasn't just me," said Janus. "I got some help from a lady in 512. We carried him down the stairs."
Janus said Mochev put up some resistance, as the Bulgarian didn't realize the gravity of the situation and wanted to save some of his belongings.
Mochev was thankful for his neighbour's heroic efforts and had son-in-law Sacho Terziyski speak on his behalf.
"Remi, he's the hero in this story," said Terziyski. "We don't know how to extend our gratitude. My father-in-law says it feels like he's my brother now."
Janus said the two communicated in a variety of Slavic languages during the ordeal.
Mochev suffered some burns to his head and hands and was treated for smoke inhalation. Janus, who originally didn't want to go to the hospital, was also treated for smoke inhalation.
