Such a tragic story today out of China after two firefighters were killed while battling a high-rise apartment fire.
Qian Lingyun, 23, and Liu Jie, 20, were trying to put out the blaze on the 13th floor when an explosion sent Liu over the edge of a balcony. Qian was able to grab his hand and tried to save him but was unable to pull him to safety.
The two men fell hand-in-hand to the ground below.
So sad.
Fire brigade spokesman Jian Ku spoke afterwards about the code these two brave men lived by, saying:
"Firemen always watch each other's backs, they look after each other. This tragic death shows the strength of that bond between colleagues."
The young heroes were honored by thousands at a memorial service on Monday in Shanghai. They were both named Revolutionary Martyrs and were given the Top-grade Merit Citation.
A witness on the street captured the moment Qian and Liu fell on video.
WARNING: the footage is extremely disturbing.
[Image via ECNS .]