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.
(VIDEO) Navy Retrieves Airplane from Sea – Their Reaction Turns Pale When They See What’s Inside
In a bold mission, a team of Navy divers embarked on a quest to recover a sunken airplane resting on the ocean floor. Little did they know, their expedition would unearth a mystery that had haunted them for over a decade.
As the team descended into the depths, a mixture of excitement and apprehension filled the air. Their anticipation soared as they approached the sunken aircraft, only to find it devoid of occupants upon entry. Yet, what they stumbled upon next sent chills down their spines.
One of the emergency exit doors had been opened prior to the crash, indicating that someone had managed to escape the doomed plane. The absence of bodies raised more questions than answers.
Their inquiry took a dramatic turn upon discovering a locked box concealed within the aircraft. Inside lay personal effects and documents hinting at the identities of the missing passengers and their ties to a prominent figure who had vanished years prior.
As they pieced together the puzzle, the team’s resolve led them to uncover the truth behind the missing millionaire’s disappearance. Through meticulous reconstruction of the plane’s journey and exhaustive investigation into the businessman’s past, they finally unearthed the shocking reality.
Their discoveries brought solace to the families of the missing passengers and provided closure to lingering questions. Once a symbol of tragedy, the sunken plane now stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Navy divers who persisted until they unearthed the truth.
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