"I'd prefer not to be called a hero". Student saves his family from fire

The tragedy happened on December 25. The fire broke out in the living room. "I was the first one to wake at 5:30, I don't know why exactly. My mom slept on a sofa with two dogs, everyone was asleep," said Mateusz Burczak, a student from Legnica.

It's still unclear where the fire came from. "Whether it came from the Christmas tree lamps cable, extension cord, or faulty installation - no one knows yet," Burczak said, adding that he acted immediately. He first made sure the main door was open, and then woke everybody up.

"I started from my brother, his wife, and their 1,5-year-old baby. When I escorted them out to the stairwell, I went for my mom - three times - because thegrey smoke was so thick I couldn't see where I was. I could barely breathe, but once I located her, I grabbed her and we ran outside. Next, I ran up and down the stairs to wake up the neighbours," the student said.

He returned to the flat once more to save the dogs. Unfortunately, only one of them survived.

The man's mother suffered worst injuries. She was taken to a hospital with multiple burns. "Luckily, mom is already feeling better, she's at a very good facility in Nowa Sól. They treat burns there. She's very happy, although her injuries are quite serious - she has first, second and third degree burns all over her body, but I'm optimistic as she's under great care," he added.

The family's apartment is not yet ready for them to return to it. The 24-year-old is sleeping at the neighbours' place, whereas once his mother has left the hospital, she will temporalily move in to his grandma. "Everything was lost in the fire. It's not even an apartment anymore, it's a ruin," the man said. He added, however: "It's all slowly moving forward. Three, four, maybe five months and we will be living here again".

TVN24 reporter asked him if he felt like a hero. "I saved my mom and my brother, so I guess I do in a way, but I'd prefer not to be called one," the 24-year-old says.

The university, at which Mateusz Burczak is a student and his mother works in a cloakroom, offered the family a place to stay in the dormitory - free of charge.

The student's friends and university staff have also organised a fundraises for the family. "I haven't been left in my own, many people are helping me, including university board and Mr Teodor Popiwczak, who is a sort of a mentor to me. If it wasn't for him, I would have lost my way at one point. I also receive support from my friend Rafał and his father. Many people really help me a lot and I'm grateful to the them," said the student from Legnica.