City Renaming Street After 8-Year-Old Hero Who Saved Sister From Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Family members hold a vigil for two young brothers at the scene of the fire in West Baltimore where they died.
Rick Ritter explains how the oldest boy is being honored for his actions on that fateful day.
Family and friends remember both boys, especially 8-year-old Decerio Coley, whose heroic actions left a mark on the entire city.
Barely able to stand, screams of sorrow stretch out on Bruce Street Friday night as hundreds of family and friends remember two boys unlike any others.
"My chipmunk and my juicy face is gone," said Tiffany Bennett, the boys' grandmother.
"Both my boys are soldiers," said Rokea McCullough, mother of boys.
Early Monday morning in West Baltimore, flames ripped through the McCullough's Bruce Street home, trapping three children on the second floor.
Decerio Coley, 8, was hailed a hero after he dropped his 4-year-old sister, Wynter, out of a second story window to safety. He then rushed back to look for his 6-year-old brother, Sean, but they never reemerged.
"They loved everybody, especially... especially their sister," McCullough said.
Firefighters couldn't save Sean, but they were able to save Decerio. He was put on life support with burns to 60 percent of his body. The very next day, he was taken off.
"My oldest grandson and my youngest grandson is gone," said Bennett.
The 8-year-old's heroic actions are the talk of the city.
"To be able to go into a burning building, pull his siblings out is no easy task," said Councilman William Welch, 9th District, City Council.
Welch presented the family with a resolution for the courageous boy and says he plans to rename Bruce Street in honor of Decerio for saving his 4-year-old sister.
"Decerio Coley Lane," Welch said.
Helping family and friends cope with pain like no other.
The family tells WJZ Decerio's kidneys were donated and his heart was on the way to be donated Friday night.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
If you would like to help the McCullough family, a fund has been set up at M&T Bank.
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