The term “hero” gets thrown around a lot but this kid/man is a real life hero.
Tyler sadly died in the early morning hours of Jan. 20, 2014, as fire consumed his grandfather’s single-wide trailer in a mobile home community in Penfield, NY where he had stayed the night.
Tyler was spending the night at his grandfather’s place because school was off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Nine people were staying at the 14-foot-by-60-foot trailer when the fire started around 4:45 a.m.
Tyler was awoken when the blanket covering his sleeping 4-year-old cousin caught fire. As the fire quickly spread, Tyler woke up six people, including two other children, all of whom escaped and made it outside. Then Tyler went back into the trailer to help his beloved grandfather.
He ran back to the room where his 57-year-old grandfather was sleeping. Tyler’s grandfather was disabled and required the use of a wheelchair and crutches after having a leg amputated because of diabetes.
Sheriff’s deputy and a firefighter arrived at the scene within a minute of the dispatch call, but the trailer was already engulfed in flames and smoke. The first fire crew to arrive attempted to enter the trailer but was driven back.
Firefighters found Tyler’s body a few feet from his grandfather. The body of his 54-year-old uncle was found in another part of the trailer.
An electrical problem is thought to have started the fire. The trailer unfortunately didn’t appear to have a working smoke detector.
Tyler’s actions were immediately recognized by local firefighters… and eventually by firehouses around the world. That week, firehouses across the country and internationally added Tyler’s name to their riding assignments.
Tyler received a Firefighter’s Funeral. Over 100 Firefighters were in attendance.
His courage and selflessness is incredible.
Someday, when we all meet again, I will love to meet this true hero.
I will Never Forget him.
Brotherhood of 🔥
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