Man rescues person trapped in house blaze
One man's heroic actions on Monday morning gave another man a second chance at life. Enlarge video
An elderly man is alive thanks to a local resident's daring act of bravery after a fire broke out at a south Lawrence home.
"I seen the smoke coming out, and I knew something was wrong," said Brad Shuck, who risked his life to pull the elderly man to safety.
Shuck was driving about 10 a.m. Monday in the 1500 block of West 27th Street near the intersection of 27th Street and Ousdahl Road when he noticed smoke billowing out of a house.
"I pulled in real quick, ran up, opened the door," he said. "Luckily, it was unlocked."
With his cell phone in hand, Shuck dialed 911.
"I was hoping nobody was at home, but when I opened the door : he was there," Shuck said.
The physically disabled man was on the floor, unable to move.
"The smoke was coming out so thick I couldn't see a foot in front of me," Shuck said.
It was also so thick that Shuck could hardly breathe.
"First time I went in, I had to come back out and catch my breath again," he said.
After he went back inside, he said, he quickly pulled the man to safety.
"Then another gentleman stopped by and helped me," Shuck said. "And we picked him up and carried him over to the driveway next door."
Fire Division Chief Eve Tolefree said the fire victim was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for treatment of nonlife-threatening injuries. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical concluded the cause of the fire was accidental and that it caused an estimated $90,000 in damage.
As a crowd of onlookers gathered across the street, Shuck met some very thankful members of the victim's family.
"I got a phone call from my father-in-law asking if I had heard sirens, and I said, 'yes,'" said Steve Allen, a relative of the victim. "I just live two blocks over, and he said it was his dad's house, and I ran over."
Shuck said his courageous act came naturally.
"It was scary," he said, "You always wonder what you'll do. The way I was brought up, you help out people when you can."
Comments
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BigPrune (anonymous) says…
The good sumarian should get some recognition from the city.
LadyWolf (anonymous) says…
I'm so glad there are people like you in our world, Brad. It's great to see good news in the paper. I know you and your family and you have always been good, kind, caring people. God bless you!
BalkansHawk (anonymous) says…
Great job Brad. I will make sure to congratulate you in person next time I see you. Again, terrific job, very courageous, and I am proud to be able to say I know you. I hope all these people that spend their time posting on this website (most often about the bad things that happen in Lawrence) take a little time to send you a personal thanks as well.
more_cowbell (anonymous) says…
Thank you Brad, for putting yourself in harm's way to save a life. It's acts like these that remind me (and hopefully others) what real heroism is--not a sports "hero", or entertainment "hero", but a real-life "hero"... much the same as our first-responders (police dept., fire dept., EMTs), and (though some may think otherwise) our troops overseas.
It's easy to become cynical, but things like this remind me that deep down we're all better off when we care for our fellow human beings (whether family or strangers) and treat them as we'd like to be treated.
Ohyasee (anonymous) says…
Wow it's so refreshing to see good deeds still happening once in a long while around here, very rear. Well done! You are a true Hero. Bless you and your family.
kansaspoet (Larry Powers) says…
Brad - a courageous, selfless, and caring act of bravery.
Larry
ksdivakat (anonymous) says…
Greater love has no man, than to lay down his life for a friend.....let alone a stranger! Thank you so much Brad for setting an example that we all need to mimic! What a great day for the family, you can always replace things, but you can never replace people.......I hope the city of Lawrence recognizes you as the hero you are!
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Great job Brad! Great story LJW!
trueninetiesgirl (anonymous) says…
great job. glad you both are safe.hats of to you sir on a job well done!
kufanattic (anonymous) says…
A life changing experience. My hat is off to you Brad. An act we do in a split second will change our lives, and so many people will be forever grateful. What a great feeling it is to help someone along lifes path, but to save a life, it truely is heroic. God Bless You
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
I know the family that lives in that house and Brad a big thank you for your selfless act.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
I think we all wish we could/would do that in the same situation, but Mr. Shuck didn't think twice.
He is someone to look up to as an example of a great citizen. What a hero!
sch_wah (anonymous) says…
Brad,
We are proud of you, and very thankful that both you and the man are alive and well. You are a very special person! Love You.
Dad & Lois
Buggie7 (anonymous) says…
Brad,
Always happy to call you and carrie family. Things like this are why. you both have wonderful hearts. E & B
geekin_topekan (anonymous) says…
Way to step up Brad.
3girls (anonymous) says…
"So shines a good dead in a weary world."
.....Willie Wonka
rumor_man (anonymous) says…
Good job Brad...now go down and stop all the violence that is happening outside of Last Call.
otto (anonymous) says…
notnowdear- the evidence from your post shows me that you don't know Brad. He isn't asking for recognition nor does he want any. It's all his friends that know that something like this is just Brad. Cool - collected demeanor and a low profile.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
"So shines a good DEED in a naughty world." -Wm Shakespeare... (ahem..)
It's heartening to have people like Brad Shuck in the community. He's a wonderful example to children of what true humanity and heroism really are.
Good job--all firefighting and other emergency personnel who followed up Brad's quick action with speedy and professional action of their own in minimizing the damage and in getting the victim the help he needed.
KSChick1 (anonymous) says…
Thank you Brad! I don't know you or the fire victim but you did a selfless thing and that is rare in this day and age, especially an act of this magnitude and potential consequences!
SouthernBelle (anonymous) says…
Great job, Mr. Shuck. The world could use a few more just like you!
acg (anonymous) says…
Brad, you rock, man!
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
Oustanding; bravery never goes out of style.
justthefacts (anonymous) says…
Don't know you Brad, but you deserve all the praise you are getting and then some. Don't let it go to your head, or scare you, but there may now be plenty of people who will now consider you a role model in life! I hope that the instincts that made you do the courageous thing will keep you in good health etc. for life.
BalkansHawk (anonymous) says…
otto
"something like this is just Brad. Cool - collected demeanor and a low profile."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
ontheotherhand (anonymous) says…
Brad, I hope someone like you is around if/when I need emergency help. Thank you for acting so quickly.
Tom_Bowman (anonymous) says…
I commend everyone who is directly or indirectly involved in saving lives in the health care field and emergency services...my hat goes off to you all.
But for a civilian to actually risk his OWN life to save another...that's a whole different level. That's Heroism!
For those who know Brad, he shows these traits in both his family life and his business life as well.
I'm proud to call him my Nephew.
efitz (anonymous) says…
There were two other men involved in the rescue who aren't being recognized. They even gave their coats away. I'll be sending an e-mail to the editor.