Undocumented Hero: Senegalese Migrant Saves Disabled Man from Spanish Fire, May Receive Residency

Gorgui Lamine Sow, a Senegalese migrant and street vendor, saved a disabled man from certain death trapped in a fire in the town of Denia, in the west of the country.

Photos published by the Spanish media show how he climbed the metal bars of the entrance gate to enter through the balcony. He then came out of the flames with a man on his shoulders and lowered him using a ladder brought by a neighbor, it was reported.

Even though for the migrant, the heroic act was selfless, more than 55,000 people had already signed a petition on Thursday asking Spain to grant him a residence permit.

Immediately after this act, the municipal councilor of Dénia, in charge of security, Javier Scotto, hailed Gorgui as a "hero" on Twitter. As for the town hall of Denia, it has requested the Spanish government to grant the young Senegalese a residence permit. According to a spokesperson for the prefecture of the Valencia region, his case is currently being studied by the Spanish Ministry of Immigration and Labor.

Gorgui was living in very difficult conditions before his life-saving act. Thanks to this residence permit, this Senegalese national who arrived in Spain in 2017 could find decent work.