Valga firefighter Ranno Lall receives third lifesaver medal after daring triple rescue

Valga rescue worker Ranno Lall has been awarded his third lifesaver medal following a dramatic fire rescue operation. Lall entered a smoke-filled building three times to bring out all victims trapped inside. The entire operation lasted approximately seven minutes.

A firefighter from Valga, Estonia, has received his third lifesaver medal after a harrowing rescue operation in which he repeatedly entered a smoke-filled burning building to save everyone trapped inside.

Ranno Lall, a rescue worker with the Valga rescue service, described the intense ordeal: «We entered the building three times, and each time we brought out a casualty.» The entire life-or-death operation lasted approximately seven minutes — a brief but critical window that made all the difference for the victims.

This latest medal marks the third time Lall has been recognised with a lifesaver award, an achievement that reflects both his bravery and the dangerous nature of firefighting work in Estonia. Earning three such medals is exceptionally rare among rescue workers.

The rescue took place during a residential fire where thick smoke had filled the structure, making visibility and movement extremely difficult. Despite the hazardous conditions, Lall and his team did not hesitate, re-entering the building multiple times until all those in danger had been brought to safety.

The Valga rescue service has highlighted Lall's actions as an example of the dedication and courage shown by Estonian rescue workers on a daily basis. Authorities have praised the team's swift response, noting that the rapid and repeated entries into the smoke-filled building were decisive in preventing fatalities.