COSTA BLANCA NEWS: Calls to legalise residency status of Denia fire hero

DENIA residents have launched a petition demanding the undocumented Senegalese who rescued a disabled man from a house fire in Denia is given legal status in Spain.
Street hawker Gorgui Lamine Sow was walking down Calle Port when he saw smoke billowing out from a first floor balcony and heard cries for help.
Without thinking twice he scaled the wall and got over a balcony and into the burning house while neighbours fetched a ladder.
He managed to hoist Alex Caudeli onto his shoulder and carry him down to safety before the emergency services arrived at the scene.
The brave hero then simply washed his hands in a neighbour’s house and went on his way before anyone had a chance to find out his name.
Within days Gorgui was tracked down and named in Spanish press. He reportedly came to Spain from Senegal several years ago, and lives with his girlfriend and baby daughter.
On Tuesday the 20-year old was united with Alex in front of the cameras.
The young man has been widely credited with saving the life of Alex, who is unable to walk, and who was in hospital for several days receiving treatment for burns after the fire at his home.
The public petition calls for Gorgui to be given work and residency papers as a reward for his act of bravery.
Spanish press also reported Denia council has joined those pushing for the legalisation of Gorgui’s situation and had written to the Sub-delegation of the Government in Alicante to ask for his status, and by extension that of his family, to be regularised as soon as possible.