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.
Woman Helps Single Dad at Store, Sees Bracelet She Buried with Her Child on His Daughter
Linette’s story is a moving narrative of grief, unexpected connections, and ultimately, healing. What begins as a simple grocery run turns into a haunting revelation when she sees a silver bracelet, buried with her daughter Emily five years ago, now worn by a stranger’s child. This discovery sets her on a path of uncovering a disturbing betrayal and finding justice in a most unexpected way.
Her initial shock and the determination to unravel the mystery of the bracelet lead her to a painful truth: the funeral home responsible for Emily’s burial had been embroiled in a scandal, selling off personal items meant to rest with the deceased. This realization ignites a fire in Linette to seek justice not only for herself but for all the families who had been wronged.
Linette’s encounter with Bob, the father of the girl wearing the bracelet, transforms from a moment of anger into a powerful partnership. Bob, an attorney, offers to help Linette pursue legal action against the corrupt funeral home. In the process, Linette, Bob, and his daughter Emma form a deep bond. What begins as a pursuit of closure for Linette soon evolves into a new chapter of healing, connection, and even love.
The resolution in court, with Linette and Bob winning the case, provides the closure Linette needed. But it also brings a new beginning, as Linette becomes part of Bob and Emma’s lives. The bracelet, once a symbol of loss, now represents hope and the possibility of rebuilding.
This tale speaks to how life’s most painful moments can sometimes lead to unexpected blessings. Through Linette’s journey, readers are reminded that justice, closure, and new beginnings can come from the most unanticipated circumstances.
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