PENFIELD, N.Y. — The 8-year-old boy who rescued six of his relatives from a fire but died while trying to save his grandfather will be laid to rest Wednesday with a ceremony and honor benefitting a fallen firefighter.
CNN reported that the Penfield Fire Company has kept an honor guard standing by the remains of Tyler Doohan during calling hours since Monday. Penfield Fire Chief Chris Ebmeyer will declare Tyler an honorary firefighter and present his family with a special fire helmet inscribed with his name, according to the report.
“The young man acted with a lot of courage and bravery to try to rescue his grandfather after rescuing other members of his family,” Chief Ebmeyer said. “He showed valor and strength, and paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
At the service, firefighters from multiple fire departments will stand at attention in formal Class A dress uniforms with bagpipers playing, Chief Ebmeyer said. There will be no funeral procession at the family’s request, according to the report.
“We want to honor him in a way family and friends will remember and look at him as a hero,” Chief Ebmeyer said. “He should be looked at as going above and beyond, even putting his life in danger.... This is what firefighters do.”
Tyler was staying at the home of relatives on Jan. 19 when he noticed a fire in the single-wide trailer, officials said.
As firefighters responded to the call, Tyler was able to wake six other people in the small trailer, including two more children, ages 4 and 6, fire officials said. He went back into the blaze to help his disabled grandfather.
“By that time, the fire had traveled to the back of the trailer,” Chief Ebmeyer said. “Unfortunately, they both succumbed to heat and smoke.”