A Russian man who sought asylum in the United States three years ago sparked global praise after rescuing an American flag from a burning home in California wildfires.
On January 7, Sultan Ramazanov was driving through the forest fires in Altadena with a friend when he saw his house engulfed in flames.
He said he has never seen a wildfire and is worried about the city he now calls home.
New wildfires break out in California as flames continue to rage across Los Angeles
“I've never seen anything like it,” Ramazanov told FOX News Digital. “I had heard about the California fires in 2020, but this was my first time.” [being near a wildfire]it was really scary. When I saw the Palisades Fire race through the mountains, it really scared me for our city. ”
Spotting the iconic red, white, and blue flag near Hell, he asked a friend to pull over.
“I said to my friend, 'At least let's keep the flag,'” Ramazanov said. “I tried to get it, but it was a little difficult and took a few minutes.”
On January 8, strong winds spread a devastating wildfire in the Los Angeles area, burning vehicles and homes. (Reuters/David Swanson)
In the video, he can be seen reaching through thick black smoke and carefully removing a shredded banner from a flagpole in front of his home.
The flag was clearly scorched on one side, with a single red stripe hanging toward the ground.
California wildfires: Essential phone numbers for Los Angeles area residents and how to help them
Ramazanov is depicted solemnly walking away from a burning house, delicately folding the white star of the national flag and cradling it in his arms.
After the rescue, Ramazanov decided to connect with the homeowner and share it on Instagram, asking for the return of perhaps one of his only remaining possessions, after a friend told him he had videotaped the heroic act. .
Sultan Ramazanov holds an American flag removed from a flag pole in front of a burning house in Altadena, California, where wildfires have started. (Newsflare)
“I posted it and some guy shared it and said, 'Look at this, a Jason Statham lookalike saved the Star-Spangled Banner,' and it just went viral.” he said. “This video has been viewed 10 million times and really helped us find the flag owner's family. We're so grateful to everyone who shared the video.”
As of Wednesday night, the post had more than 270,000 likes and nearly 30,000 shares on the platform.
Ramazanov received several fraudulent calls from people claiming to be the owners of the house, but eventually got in touch with the owner, a 74-year-old man.
A store is destroyed in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
He told Ramazanov that he was very grateful and that he was worried about the flag.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The two plan to meet over the weekend and return to Japan to listen to each other's stories.
“This is our country's flag, so we decided to preserve it,” Ramazanov said. “America has given us so much. I am so grateful to this country. Most [have] My documents are here, and I got asylum here. Now, the American flag is also a symbol for me and my family. ”
