A Washington man is rightfully being hailed a hero after charging into a burning home to save his eight-year-old niece.
Reports detail how 20-year-old Derrick Byrd suffered second and third-degree burns on his face, back, and arms, having rushed into the building when he became aware his niece was trapped.
Speaking to KOMO-TV, he said: “Even though I got burnt, I really didn’t care, though. I’d rather get burnt than her. She’s young. She’s still got a lot of stuff going for her. She’s a good kid.”
The fire, at a home in Aberdeen, Washington is believed to have started while Byrd and six other family members were inside, including his sister, Kayla, and her three children.
Byrd caught his nephews, Junior and Royce, when they jumped from a window on the second floor. His eight-year-old niece Mercedes, however, was too afraid to jump after having watched Kayla fall from the roof.
Without thinking, Byrd dashed back into the house to rescue her. Within moments, he could feel the flames on him.
“I could feel it burning me,” he explained.
“I got her and took my shirt off and put it around her face so she wouldn’t breathe in any smoke and I just carried her out as fast as I could.”
True hero
What’s more, despite suffering injuries, Byrd said he would do it again if he had to.
“I’d run back in there and do it again even if I got burnt worse or died.”
Commenting on all those dubbing him a hero, he simply replied: “I can’t say a hero. I’d just say for my niece and nephews, I wasn’t going to let them die.”
What a genuine hero Derrick Byrd truly is. In moments like that, people’s true colours are shown, and Derrick can certainly be proud of his.
After 44 years of marriage, country legend Alan Jackson and his wife share incredible update on social media
Country music star Alan Jackson and his wife Denise are beaming with pride as they welcomes their second grandchild.
On July 2, Jackson took to Instagram to share a heartwarming photo with the newest family member, Wesley Alan Smith, born on June 20 to his daughter Mattie Jackson and her husband, Connor Smith.
In the touching image, Alan and his wife, Denise Jackson, are seen standing beside their daughter Mattie, who is resting in a hospital bed while holding baby Wes.
Baby Wes, who carries his grandfather’s middle name, is Alan and Denise’s second grandchild.
Their daughter Ali and her husband, Sam Bradshaw, welcomed their first child, Jackson Alvie Bradshaw, in December 2022.
Alan had also shared a similar announcement for Jackson’s birth, showcasing another cherished family moment.
This growing family is undoubtedly bringing immense joy to Alan Jackson, as evidenced by his heartfelt posts and the pride he takes in his grandchildren.
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