Mother 'proud' of Tyler Doohan, 8, who saved six people from a house fire but died after trying to save a seventh
Tyler Doohan went back inside the bedroom of a burning trailer to try and save his disabled grandfather
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A boy who saved six family members in a house fire tragically died while trying to save a seventh person.
Emergency services were called to attend a fire in Penfield in East Rochester, New York after the blaze broke out in the early hours of Monday morning at a house trailer.
Once inside, fire crews discovered the body of Tyler Doohan close to the bed of his grandfather, Louis Beach.
His mother, Crystal Vrooman, said she was very proud of her son. "It makes me so proud that he went the way that he did," she told New York-based TV channel WROC. "He made it big, he made it really big and I'm really proud."
Investigators say Tyler died alongside Beach, 57 and Steven Smith, 54.
Penfield Fire Chief Chris Ebmeyer said the eight-year-old was at the trailer, where eight other people were all staying, visiting family when the fire started.
Tyler managed to wake six people and alert them to the fire, who all escaped from the trailer. One woman was treated in hospital for second degree burns, Mr Ebmeyer said.
Tyler went back in to assist his disabled grandfather, who would have been unable to get out of bed alone. His aunt followed him in but was unable to see him once inside the smoke engulfed property, CNN reported.
"By that time, the fire had travelled to the back of the trailer," Mr Ebmeyer said. "Unfortunately they [Tyler and his grandfather] both succumbed to heat and smoke."
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
A statement released by the East Rochester Central School District, which Tyler attended, said: "It is extremely important to remember that according to emergency personnel, (Tyler) was the person who discovered the fire and tried to wake the eight other people in the residence at the time.
"In bravely and selflessly giving his own life, he was able to save the lives of six others, and he is truly a hero."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments