8-year-old hero who saved six declared honorary firefighter funeral

Tyler Doohan was credited with saving the lives of six members of his family when his mobile home was burnt in flames last week.

By M. Alex Johnson, writer, NBC News

The boy from New York State 8 - year - old who died while saving the lives of six people in a roaring fire of trailer was buried Wednesday - complete with its own firefighter helmet and the title of honorary firefighter.

Mourners from across the country attended to Fairport, near Rochester, in honor of Tyler Doohan, a fourth-grade primary school East Rochester.

Tyler ran through his grandfather trailer in suburban Penfield early in the morning of January 20, alerting friends and family to a cut-throat of fire.

They are credited with saving the lives of six people, including two children, 4 and 6 years of age.

But then he returned to hell to try to rescue his grandfather, who uses a wheelchair because he lost part of a leg. They never did. On Wednesday they were buried with a third victim, his step grandfather.

"Compassion has no end and community has no borders," said Phil Buderic, basketball coach at the University of Silver Lake of the Holy family, who traveled with his team of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to serve as pallbearers at the funeral of Tyler after being touched by the story.

Penfield fire chief Chris Ebmeyer, Tyler declared an honorary firefighter, Catholic Church, presents a personal fire helmet during the service at San Juan de Rochester NBC station reported WHEC of Rochester.

"Tyler should be honest in a way that reflects what he did this morning," Ebmeyer said, marveling at the "courage (and) heroism he displayed for someone so young, at the age of 8.

"Tyler showed that there is something good in the world," the Chief said.

Fire companies cross that country also added name Tyler to their lists of duty in tribute on Wednesday, photos of scrolling of page after page of the Facebook account of fire Worldwide, an international fire community based in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

But she remember him as "the quiet guy who sat in the front row", said Denise Alfieri, Tyler fourth-grade teacher and loved mathematics and drawing.

"Tyler, I'll miss every day," said Alfieri. "To be honest, I'm still looking for walking through those doors, just to see you smile again."

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