A heartwarming story emerged from Washington as a brave uncle went above and beyond to rescue his eight-year-old niece from a burning home. Derrick Byrd, a 20-year-old man, sustained second and third-degree burns while rushing into the engulfed building upon learning that his niece was trapped inside.

In an interview with KOMO-TV, Byrd expressed his remarkable selflessness, saying, “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.”

During the fire in Aberdeen, Washington, Byrd and six other family members, including his sister, Kayla, and her three children, were inside the house. Byrd quickly caught his nephews, Junior and Royce, as they jumped from a window on the second floor. However, his eight-year-old niece Mercedes was too frightened to follow suit after witnessing her mother’s fall from the roof.

Without a second thought, Byrd courageously re-entered the blazing house to rescue his niece. Within moments, he could feel the scorching flames on his body. “I could feel it burning me,” he recalled. “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.”

Byrd’s selflessness and bravery demonstrated that he possesses the qualities of a true hero. Despite his injuries, he affirmed that he would do it all over again, even if the consequences were worse. When asked about being hailed as a hero, Byrd humbly responded, “I can’t say a hero. I’d just say for my niece and nephews, I wasn’t going to let them die.”

Let us commend the genuine heroism of Derrick Byrd. In moments like these, people’s true character shines through, and Derrick can certainly be proud of his actions. Please share this story to pay tribute to a real-life hero and to send him wishes for a speedy recovery.

Check out this video to witness the incredible bravery of Derrick Byrd: