Hero Dad Saves Twins From House Fire

The fire destroyed everything the family owned, but thanks to a heroic father, 18-month-old twins Milan and Malaysia survived.

Ray and his girlfriend, Shiane, left their girls with his mother briefly while they ran to a corner market near the home. They were gone less than 15 minutes when tragedy struck.

As the couple returned home, they saw flames from the road. Upon arrival, they saw Ray's mother and niece standing on the front porch. Both were screaming and terrified. Ray knew his girls were sill in the house. They had been sleeping in the third-floor basement when they headed to the market, and were now trapped in the smoke and flames.

Ray did not consider that he might die running through the flames. He thought of only one thing: saving his girls. His babies were inside, and he would save them or die trying.

He ran into the house, thick smoke making it difficult to breathe or see. He maneuvered through the home and downstairs three floors to his babies. He grabbed the girls and made the same arduous journey back up the stairs and out of the house.

"You really couldn't see your hand in front of your face - I really only found my babies due to my memory, just knowing where they were and knowing how to get to them - just from having that same route."

Malaysia suffered second-degree burns and spent time in the ICU. Milan was treated for smoke inhalation.

Ray endured second and third-degree burns to his eyes, neck, face, and arms. He was blind for three days and spent weeks recovering.

None of that mattered. He saved his girls' lives.

An electrical problem caused the fire, destroying everything the family owned. A Go Fund Me fundraiser set up at the time raised nearly $500,000 in funds to help them rebuild, and as a small salute to the hero dad who saved his children's lives.

Ray is a true hero, and today, I salute him for braving the flames and fire to save the lives of his beautiful daughters. I hope life is treating them well.

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