‘We thought UK was civilised’
A woman jumps from a burning building in Surrey Street in London in this image taken from Twitter. A woman jumps from a burning building in Surrey Street in London in this image taken from Twitter.
She came to the UK just a few months ago, hoping for a better life. But when looters set fire to the furniture store close her flat in South London, Monika Konczyk had to fight for her very survival.
The image of her jumping from her first floor flat as flames tore through nearby buildings has been seen by millions.
However, the 32-year-old from Poland had been paralysed by fear until her sister Beata screamed at her to jump the 16ft to the street below.
Caught in the arms of riot police under her window, she escaped unharmed. Despite her escape, her family said she has become withdrawn and depressed.
Her sister Beata, 37, said: “She is incredibly traumatised as she feels she narrowly escaped death.
“We are appalled that something like this could happen here. We always thought this country was so civilised.”
Miss Konczyk had come to the UK in March to learn English and to join her older sister and had rented a flat in central Croydon.
But on Monday night thugs set fire to Reeves furniture store. The intensity of the inferno meant rescuers could not get into the flat so she had to jump. - Daily Mail