Linear Thinking Riddle

There are four people in a house. A fireman, an athlete, an old woman, and a drunk guy. The house catches fire and before the fact is known, it is too late. All they know is that the entire house is in flames and it will collapse exactly after twelve minutes. Now they can move out of the house but for that, they will have to pass the hallway which is entirely blazing with flames. Thus to move, one must carry a fire extinguisher to keep the flames away. Seeking the burnt wooden floor, only two people can run through that hallway at one time. But for others to go, one must return back with the fire extinguisher. The fireman is trained for such tasks and can run through the hallway in a minute. The athlete can make it in a couple of minutes. The old woman can run slowly and will cover the hallway in four minutes. The drunk guy will take five minutes to run through it. If all of them can make it through the hallway in twelve minutes, all of them will be saved. When two move together, they will run at the speed of the slower ones.

How will all four of them manage to run to safety?




Similar Riddles

Can you make the number 24 by utilizing the numbers 1, 3, 4 and 6? You must use one number only one time and you can use mathematical operation symbols anytime anywhere.

Asked by Neha on 18 Jan 2026


To attend world science seminar, A famous chemist from Mexico visit
London. In the lab, the scientist was killed and his six assistants were under suspicion of killing the chemist.
Name of six assistants: Austin, Wayne, Dege, Oscaru, Lingard, and Rojo.
He left a note "76-20-44 79-16-22-7"

A local detective Jack was called to solve the case,

After reading the note, Jack instantly asked the police to arrest the murderers.

Who are the murderers?

Asked by Neha on 15 May 2021

I speak without a mouth, and hear without ears. I have no-body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?

Asked by Neha on 17 May 2021


Rob is taller than Edwin, and Jurgen is shorter than Rob.
Of only one of the following statements, we now certainly know it is correct:

A.Edwin is taller than Jurgen
B.Jurgen is taller than Edwin
C.It cannot be determined if Jurgen or Edwin is the tallest.

Asked by Neha on 01 Mar 2024

A man and a dog were going down the street. The man rode, yet walked. What was the dog’s name?

Asked by Neha on 10 Mar 2022

"That Restaurant always remains crowded. This is the reason why nobody goes there".

Can you find a flaw in this statement?

Asked by Neha on 06 Apr 2024


In a picnic session, a footballer was practicing. During his play, he busted lips and ears and broke ribs and thighs. However, he was still able to play a professional match on the very next day.



How can this be possible?

Asked by Neha on 20 Jan 2021

They are three errirs in this question. Can you find them?

Asked by Neha on 13 May 2025

The person who makes it has no need for it; the person who buys it has no use for it. The person who uses it can neither see nor feel it. What is it?

Asked by Neha on 11 Mar 2025


What does it mean?

What does it mean?

Asked by Neha on 03 Mar 2025

Hot Articles

Amazing Facts

Out of the Box

The phrase “thinking outside the box” was popularised from the solution to a topographical puzzle involving 9 dots in a box shape.