A Michigan father is being hailed as a hero after risking his life to save his twin daughters from a devastating house fire.
Ray Lucas, 23, had just returned from a quick trip to a local store in Eastpointe with his partner, Shi’Ann Brown, when he saw their home engulfed in flames. Inside were their 18-month-old twin daughters, Malaysia and Milan.
Outside, Lucas’ mother — who had been babysitting — was in a state of panic, unable to reach the children. Without a second thought, Lucas sprang into action.
“I was speechless. Action took over me,” he recalled. “I did what any father would do.”
The fire, which broke out on July 17, had quickly overtaken all three levels of the house, including the basement, where the twins were napping. Knowing emergency responders might not arrive in time, Lucas rushed into the inferno, navigating by memory through thick smoke and intense heat.
When he reached the basement, he found one of his daughters standing and the other lying in the crib — both stunned and silent. He scooped them up, held them tightly to his chest, and made his way back out through the smoke-filled home.
After passing the twins to his mother, Lucas learned that his young niece was still trapped inside — this time, on the second floor. He rushed back in, unable to locate her, until he saw her through a second-story window. He instructed her to jump and caught her safely in his arms.
Though the rescue was successful, it came at a steep cost. Lucas suffered second- and third-degree burns to his arms, face, neck, and ears, and was temporarily blinded for three days due to smoke damage to his eyes. Thankfully, his vision returned, though his recovery continues.
Both Malaysia and Milan were seriously injured and admitted to the ICU at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Milan suffered burns on her legs and feet, while Malaysia sustained burns on her face, arms, and eyes. She is undergoing physical therapy to regain full mobility.
Lucas and his daughters spent five days in intensive care. While doctors are hopeful for a full recovery, the emotional trauma has left lasting scars.
“The mental strain was just as bad as the physical,” Lucas admitted.
The fire destroyed the family’s home and all of their possessions. Although the building wasn’t completely consumed, the damage rendered it unlivable. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Now staying with relatives in Detroit, the family is working to rebuild. Their story has touched thousands, and a fundraiser organized by Lucas’ aunt has raised over $286,000 from more than 8,000 donors to help the family get back on their feet.
