Hero boy who died rescuing relatives from blaze gets firefighter funeral

Brave: Tyler Doohan was found next to his grandfather’s bed
 
An eight-year-old boy who died rescuing his relatives from a trailer park blaze will be given a funeral ‘befitting a fallen firefighter’.


Tyler Doohan saved six family members from the fire but perished after running back into the blazing mobile home to try and save his disabled grandfather.

The heroic youngster’s funeral will be held later today after an online fundraising campaign raised more than $60,000 (£36,000) to give Tyler the ‘service he deserves’.

Penfield Fire Company, a volunteer unit in New York, will also declare Tyler an honorary firefighter and present his family with a special fire helmet inscribed with his name.

Firefighters investigate the fatal fire in Penfield, New York

‘The young man acted with a lot of courage and bravery to try to rescue his grandfather after rescuing other members of his family,’ fire chief Chris Ebmeyer told CNN.

‘He showed valour and strength, and paid the ultimate sacrifice.’
He added: ‘We want to honour him in a way family and friends will remember and look at him as a hero.

‘He should be looked at as going above and beyond, even putting his life in danger… This is what firefighters do.’

Tyler was staying in his grandfather’s trailer

Tyler was staying in his grandfather’s trailer on January 19 when a fire broke out overnight.
He raised the alarm, waking six relatives who all got out safely, but went back inside to help his grandfather.