Some heroes wear capes, but others drive school buses. In a story originally shared by Today.com, Todd Morris, a 54-year-old school bus driver from Jackson Township, Ohio, showed extraordinary courage when he risked his life to save a family—and their beloved pets—from a devastating house fire.
Morris wasn’t on the clock that day. Instead, he was driving his personal vehicle when he saw flames erupting from a house he instantly recognized. “They’re my kids,” Morris told Today.com. “I’d do anything for my kids.”
“My heart just dropped”
On the frigid morning of January 22, Morris noticed smoke and flames pouring from the second floor of the Fisher family home. Two of the Fisher children ride Morris’s school bus regularly, and he didn’t hesitate when he realized something was terribly wrong.
“All I could think was, ‘My kids. My kids are inside,’” Morris said. Acting on instinct, he called 911, then bolted toward the flames.
Despite the locked front door and blinding smoke, Morris, a former police officer, kicked in the door and began searching the home. “The second floor was completely engulfed,” he shared, describing the chaos.
Related: Hero truck driver in Ohio saves 4-year-old found wandering on busy road in the cold
Risking it all—for family and fur babies
Though no family members were home at the time (the children were staying with their grandparents), Morris’s bravery still saved lives. Inside, he found the family’s two terrified dogs, Lady and Cash. Cash, a German shepherd who couldn’t walk, was carried out by Morris.
“I put them both in my car,” he said, before re-entering the burning house to ensure no one was left inside.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and extinguished the fire within 90 minutes, but the Fisher home was destroyed.
Gratitude and rebuilding
Matt Fisher, the children’s father, said his family will be forever grateful to Morris. “Todd Morris is a hero,” Fisher told Today.com. “He risked his life to go in there and save my family. He didn’t think twice.”
The family’s heartbreak over the loss of their home has been softened by the gratitude they feel toward Morris. “Our dogs mean everything to us. We’ve had them since they were pups,” Fisher said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Fisher family rebuild their lives. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, this story is a reminder of the selflessness and courage ordinary people can show in extraordinary moments.
Related: Dad donates kidney to save a little girl after losing his own daughter
