Not all heroes wear capes, and the story of a heroic uncle named Derrick Byrd is yet another proof of that.
This brave man sacrificed his own life for the sake of those of his niece and nephews and it doesn’t come as a surprise that he has been hailed a hero by the members of his community.
When the fire started in the family home in Aberdeen, Washington, there were six people inside, including Derrick’s sister, Kayla, and her three children.
Realizing that the house could easily burn down in no time, quick-thinking Derrick caught his nephews and jumped out of the window from the second floor while holding them in his arms.
His 8-year-old niece Mercedes witnessed her mother falling down from the roof and was too afraid to jump.
Without hesitating even for a second, Derrick returned inside the house to rescue his trapped niece.
Once inside, he felt the flames burning his face, but saving Mercedes was more important than anything else.
“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.”
As a result of his heroic deed, Derrick suffered second and third-degree burns on his face, back, and arms. His recovery took some time and he experienced a lot of pain, but he says he would do it again if he needs to.
“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,” he told KOMO-TV.
“I’d run back in there and do it again even if I got burnt worse or died.”
Commenting on people calling him a hero, humble Derrick said, “I can’t say a hero. I’d just say for my niece and nephews, I wasn’t going to let them die.”
For more on the story go to the video below and don’t forget to SHARE it with your family and friends on Facebook.
Derrick Byrd is the kind of uncle anyone would ask for. We wish him speedy recovery.
Bored Daddy
Love and Peace