After racing into a blazing house to save his eight-year-old niece, a Washington man is justifiably being hailed a hero.

According to reports, Derrick Byrd, 20, received second and third-degree burns on his face, back, and arms after rushing into the building when he realized his niece was trapped.

In an interview with KOMO-TV, he stated, «Even though I got burned, I really didn’t care.» I’d rather burn myself than her. She is rather young. She still has a lot of things going for her. She’s a nice kid.»

The fire is thought to have begun in a residence in Aberdeen, Washington, when Byrd and six other family members were inside, including his sister, Kayla, and her three children.

When his nephews, Junior and Royce, jumped from a window on the second floor, Byrd caught them. Mercedes, his eight-year-old niece, was too scared to leap after witnessing Kayla fall from the top.

Byrd went back inside the home to save her without thinking. He could feel the flames on him within seconds.

«I could feel it burning me,» he admitted.

«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.»

Furthermore, despite his injuries, Byrd stated that he would do it again if he had to.

«I’d run back in there and do it again, even if I got worse burnt or died.»

In response to those who called him a hero, he simply stated, «I can’t say a hero.» I’d just state that I wasn’t going to let my nieces and nephews die.»

What an unsung hero Derrick Byrd is. People’s true colors are revealed in occasions like these, and Derrick should be proud of his.

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