As Tom Mandala leaned out of the fifth-floor window of his burning apartment building in Johannesburg early Thursday, it felt as if the only decision left to make was how to die.
He could turn around and dash for the stairs, but he would surely be overcome by the thick smoke and scorching flames, he figured.
Or he could leap out of the window and end up splattered on the sidewalk below.
The second option, he thought, would be the best way to ensure that his family back in Malawi would be able to recover his body.
So, after about five minutes of agonizing deliberation, Mr. Mandala, 26, jumped.
Persons:
Tom Mandala
Locations:
Johannesburg, Malawi