Four Teenage Boys Break Into House To Save 90-Year-Old Woman Trapped in Blazing Fire

Jun 18, 2019

Most people could not imagine the horror of realizing their bed is engulfed in flames only moments after they lie down to go to sleep. But this is exactly what was experienced by Catherine Ritchie.

Ninety-year-old Catherine has lived in her home for 58 years. She had lived alone in the home since her husband died a decade before.

Catherine was going about her normal routine one night when she suddenly realized she was in danger.

Catherine tried to fight the fire herself but quickly learned she was overmatched. She dialed 911, pressed the alarm, and attempted to escape the home. Unfortunately, she found in the time she had taken to fight the fire the condition in the home had greatly deteriorated.

The smoke in the home made it impossible for Catherine to see. She became lost in the hallway of her home and found herself in serious danger.

Four teenage boys, ages 14 through 17, were not far away when they smelled Catherine's home burning. They also heard the alarm that she sounded. The boys did not hesitate to run in the home and come to the aid of the elderly woman.

The four boys searched desperately for Catherine once inside the home. Nick Byrd, the youngest member of the bunch, located Catherine first. Nick picked the woman up in his arms and despite her protests that she could walk, he carried her from the burning house.

Catherine and all four boys were able to exit the house without injury. First responders arrived not long after.

Catherine's daughter, Missy, expressed her appreciation to the boys with an open letter. "After brushing her teeth and hair, she turned around to find her bed completely engulfed in flames," she wrote. Missy then told the boys how much she appreciated their bravery and thanked them for saving her mother.

She says her family would never forget what the boys had done for them and told them Catherine's 42 grandchildren offered them a special thanks as well.

The boys say they appreciate the kind words of Missy and others who commended them for their actions. But each of them expresses they were just happy they were close and that Catherine is safe. The four boys say the event has changed them for the better.

Were you impressed with the bravery shown by the teenagrs? Send this article to all the friends you know. The heroic deeds of the four boys should be celebrated by all.