Colorado Parents Praise 8-Year-Old Son with Down Syndrome for Saving His Sister During Fire: ‘Our Hero’

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo of fire.Photo:Arapahoe Sheriff/X

Arapahoe Sheriff/X

An 8-year-old boy with Down syndrome became a hero after he alerted his 14-year-old sister of a fire in their Colorado home, helping them get out on time before it was engulfed in flames.

According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the fire broke just before noon on Sunday, Dec. 1, while Grayson and Ava Grace were alone in the 4800 block of S. Gibraltar Ln. in Centennial, Colo.

“Anywhere there was a hole in the house, there was smoke coming out of it,” said Deputy Ryan McConnell in a video posted alongside an update from the department onX.

“As soon as I got near the house, I heard the kids screaming. My first thought was they were still inside. Obviously, they were terrified, had no idea what was going on. Both of them were screaming and crying,” he said.

Before the kids could make their way to the backyard, Grayson quickly called to his sister, who was downstairs, to get out.

Photo of fire.Arapahoe Sheriff/X

The body camera footage shows the moment the deputies begin breaking down the fence as the children’s cries and screams can be heard in the background.

“My room’s on fire," Grayson could be heard saying multiple times as he and his sister are led to the sidewalk of their home and firefighters begin putting the blaze out.

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“One SMFR firefighter was treated on-site and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation,” the department added in astatement on Facebook. “Sadly one dog and one cat did not survive the fire while 4 cats remain unaccounted for.”

source: people.com