A father has been praised and called a hero after running into his blazing house to save his baby twins.
Ray Lucas, 23, and his girlfriend Shi'Ann Brown returned from a trip to the store to find their Eastpointe, Michigan, house ablaze in flames.
Ray’s mother had been watching the girls and was in the front garden panicking and trying to get help.
Malaysia and Milan, their 18-month-old twin daughters, were trapped in their in the basement as the flames swept across the three floors.
Mr Lucas rushed inside the blazing building to save his children because he didn't think firefighters would arrive in time.
“I couldn't say anything. My mind was taken over by action. Lucas, 23, told CNN, "I went into the house to get my babies." “I'm looking at it from the perspective of a father. He stated, "I did everything that any other father would or should do."
According to Lucas, the fire on July 17 spread through three floors inside, including the basement where Malaysia and Milan were sleeping in their crib. He doubted the fire department would arrive in time.
He dove into the flaming building, quickly realizing that the flames had obliterated his vision. However, he was well-versed in the area and proceeded to the basement.
“I was so thrilled they were responsive,” he recalled as he approached the crib and made personal contact with his kids.
One of the daughters was standing in her crib, while the other was laying down, but both were silent. He feels his daughters were in shock as a result of the fire and smoke.
Lucas grabbed his kids, shielded them with his chest, and walked back up and out, retracing his steps through the blinding haze.
Lucas handed his girls over to his mother, only to discover that his niece was still stuck on the second floor. When Lucas went back inside immediately, but couldn't find her, he stepped outside to his backyard and saw his niece through the second-story window. He told her to jump through the window, and caught her with his hands.
“I was overjoyed that my babies were unharmed and that everyone was able to escape the situation.” Lucas stated, "We didn't lose anyone."
His bravery took a toll on him.
“My arms, both ears, right side of face, and neck were all burned,” Lucas explained. Lucas was blind for three days because his corneas were damaged and swollen up due to smoke exposure, and he received second- and third-degree burns.
Doctors initially predicted that Lucas would lose his sight, but he has since regained it.
“I believe my vision has returned to normal, although it might be better,” Lucas added. He did say, though, that his burns made it difficult for him to do normal tasks.
Malaysia and Milan were also severely burned. Both were rushed to the Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, where they were treated in the intensive care unit.
