An 8-year-old boy is being hailed a “hero” by his family after he saved his older sister from a house fire. Not much has been released about what caused the fire, but the children were the only ones in the home at the time.
After the children were saved by first responders, the family spoke out about the way the boy saved the day. They realize that his quick thinking was one of the things that helped him and his sister stay safe. Although the family has to rebuild, they are grateful for their son and that the children are alive.
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According to first responders, the house was incredibly smoky when they arrived.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office reported on X that deputies responded December 1 to a call about a house on fire. Upon their arrival, the officers discovered “heavy smoke inside and outside the home.” The video they shared on X showed thick pillows of smoke billowing out. They also learned there were two kids in the house, an 8-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl.
The deputies tore into the home's fence with their bare hands.
According to their post, the gate to the home was blocking their ability to get in. Eventually, they “were able to gain access through a neighbor’s home and tore down part of the wood fence with their hands.”
“Anywhere there was a hole in the house, there was smoke coming out of it,” Deputy Ryan McConnell said in the video shared by the sheriff’s office.
“As soon as I got near the house, I heard the kids screaming. My first thought was they were still inside. Obviously, they were terrified, had no idea what was going on. Both of them were screaming and crying,” he added.
Body cam footage was released of the rescue of the children.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office released the body camera footage of deputies Ryan McConnell and Chris Calderon showing up at the house. Thick smoke comes out of the front door as they approach. Footage of them pulling down the fence is also seen, and the clips captures the cries of 8-year-old Grayson and 14-year-0ld Ava Grace in the background.
“My room’s on fire,” the boy can be heard saying.
The children's parents weren't home at the time of the fire.
The children’s mom, Renee Unruh, told CBS News that she and her husband were a few miles away at her mother’s home when the fire broke out. Her mother had also dealt with a home fire, and they were helping clean up. Unruh saw the smoke, not realizing it was from her own home. She said Ava Grace called her when she discovered the fire, and they returned home quickly.
She praised Grayson for alerting his sister to the fire. “He was yelling Ava, Ava! And kept yelling Ava, Ava,” Unruh said of the 8-year-old, who has Down syndrome.
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Grayson is being hailed as a hero.
“He kind of saved her life,” Unruh said. “He’s our hero.” Unfortunately, the family lost their pets, a dog and two kittens, in the fire, according to CBS News.
Since the fire, the family has received nothing but overwhelming support from their community. Grayson’s elementary school showed up to help on the day after the fire. The Red Cross also helped the family find temporary lodging. Thankfully, Unruh said that Ava Grace and Grayson are doing well, despite the traumatic experience.
“He does brighten everyone’s day and he obviously can save lives,” she said of her son.
