Anyone who steps up to being a stepparent is a hero, but one stepdad went above and beyond the call of duty when he actually rescued his stepkids from a burning building. The Cleveland dad was home with with this 10- and 11-year-old stepchildren when there was an explosion at the Rainbow Terrace Apartments, according to a local News 5 Cleveland report.
After being thrown from the building he noticed the two kids were still in place. He ran back in and encouraged them to jump from the window, but upon realizing his stepdaughter was too scared, he ran through the flames to save her, according the the GoFundMe that his sister started for him. The heroic act ended up burning 92% of his body.
“He is currently sedated in critical condition, undergoing surgeries every few days, and will be in the hospital for months,” his sister Chrishad Sheffield wrote on the donation site’s page. “He has lost everything — his home, his belongings, and most of his skin. But what he never lost was his will to protect others, even at the cost of his own life.”
The children were also hospitalized, but are “relatively okay” according to sources. However all three are in critical condition and are suffering with 80% burns according to WKYC Channel 3 news.
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the City of Cleveland issued several statements that they are doing everything they can to support displaced citizens who have lost everything.
“We extend our heartfelt concern to those affected by this incident, especially to the individuals who sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital.”
