The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

(Image credit: BBC News)

“My wife was objecting to my position as a firefighter because it is a very dangerous job. I told her that I think that I am ready mentally and physically. I am not less than any Australian working in the field. If they can do it, I can,” said Egyptian firefighter, Yehia Abdelaaty to BBC News.

Stationed in New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Abdelaaty, who has worked for the fire service for the past 17 years, combats the raging flames with an undying spirit. The fires have recently destroyed thousands of homes and killed people and animals across the country, but brave men and women like Abdelaaty continue to save lives every day.

His team uses quite a smart technique; to save the homes of civilians, Abdelaaty and his colleagues burn the surrounding area in a controlled burn, leaving at least 20 metres between the houses and the bush. Then, they put it out to create a protective strip that cannot be burned again, so that the bushfires are stopped from reaching the houses.

“Two situations that I cannot forget from facing the fires; I would be standing 20-25 metres away, yet I would still feel the heat, so I cannot imagine how it would feel like to be inside the flames. Also, the roaring sound is very intense, and it sends dreadful chills into your heart,” Abdelaaty recalls.

“The other situation that I had heard of, but did not believe, was that at 4:00 PM, the area would be pitch black. You cannot see your hands or the fire truck, or anything at all from the density of the smoke that completely blocks the sunlight.”

Abdelaaty recounts the anxious state that people face, and how they would be lined up outside their houses in anticipation for the fire trucks, awaiting any orders. Although, he is hopeful that the fires will come to an end as the rain starts to pour over Sydney.

Our prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragic fires.

Watch his full interview below: