An Alice Boucher Elementary student is now recognized as a hero for his rescue efforts during a house fire in September of 2018.
Nine-year-old Tyler Andrus is now acknowledged as a very courageous and brave young man. A house fire on the 100 block of Hayes Street in Lafayette last September took the life of one relative, but we’re told he’s the reason his grandmother is still here today.
“He saved my life because I would have still been in there. I told him thank you and I loved him,” said Jeanette Andrus, hugging her grandson, Tyler.
He’s a student at Alice Boucher Elementary. He believed it was another typical morning at school, but it turned into a very tear-jerking moment. Physician Assistants with Our Lady of Lourdes Burn Unit treated Tyler’s grandmother after the house fire.
They were blown away when they found out how she escaped the flames. “I thought, wow. For a nine-year-old in a traumatic event.. to be calm enough to think about this. That, was just so impressive to me,” said Physician Assistant Rachel Stutes.
Jeanette Andrus tried to save her bed-ridden mother during the fire, but it was too late. Tyler, rushed back inside the home to get her out. “The smoke just took over and things were falling on me,” said Andrus.
Determined to help her, Tyler said he did what he was taught in school to do. “When the firefighters came to talk to us they had said when you’re in a fire to always crawl. If the fire is like low to the ground,” he said.
“By the time we got to the street, the window where I was standing just bust through the windows so he really saved my life,” she added.
Assistants at the Burn Unit are now recognizing Tyler amongst his family, friends and classmates at Alice Boucher Elementary. “It’s certain ones that just tug at your heartstrings a little more and Tyler is just one of those people,” said another Physician Assistant.
Tyler received a framed award, trophy and a coin that represents the Saint of Firefighters. Physician Assistants with Our Lady of Lourdes Burn Unit are interested in visiting more schools across the parish to discuss burn prevention. Visit their website, https://lourdesrmc.com/services/burn-center/
