33M, why should we condone your actions opposed to the behaviour of the other passenger. Both are aspects of human behaviour; theirs with a unique understanding of the situation at the time, yours with hindsight.
Risk management involves a realistic balance of potential hazards in a range of foreseeable contexts.
What might the balance be between a fit able passenger retrieving a bag vs a frail elderly passenger in the isle seat; and how might their actions change if the fire/smoke was in the cabin vs outside and might not be seen.
cf Cranfield University studies - Helen Miur; IIRC, the dominant issues were age, incentive - perception of threat, location and type/size of exit.
Also see
http://www.raes-hfg.com/reports/15oc...ct03-HMuir.pdf