An 8-year-old New York boy died Monday during a mobile-home fire during a rescue attempt for a disabled relative. He was visiting relatives in the town of Penfield Sunday night and spotted the fire, alerting everyone in the single-wide trailer.
Penfield Fire Chief Chris Ebmeyer told CNN that Tyler J. Doohan woke up six other people in the trailer, who survived the fire. That included two other children, ages 4 and 6. Firefighters responded to an emergency call at 4:46 a.m.
After his other relatives left the trailer, Tyler went back to try to save his grandfather, who needed assistance to get out. “By that time, the fire had traveled to the back of the trailer," Ebmeyer told CNN. "Unfortunately they both succumbed to heat and smoke."
Tyler’s body was found with his grandfather’s. The boy’s uncle also died in the fire.
“It makes me really proud, it really does, but I just want him back,” his mother, Crystal Vrooman told 13 WHAM.
The Associated Press reports that thousands have raised money for Tyler’s funeral online. A YouCaring.org fund is up to $5,100 by Wednesday morning.
“In bravely and selflessly giving his own life, he was able to save the lives of six others -- and he truly is a hero,” Richard Stutzman Jr., interim superintendent of the East Rochester School District, told CNN.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.