Nicholas “Nick” Bostic, a 25-year-old pizza delivery driver, is being celebrated as a hero after courageously saving five children from a devastating house fire in Indiana. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. when Nick spotted a fire at a two-story home while driving. Without a phone to call for help, he tried to alert a passing car but was unsuccessful. Acting quickly, he decided to investigate the situation himself.
Upon entering the home, Nick found no visible smoke and assumed the house might be empty. However, as he called out, four children emerged, having been awakened by the eldest, an 18-year-old girl. She had taken action after realizing their home was on fire while their parents, David and Tiera Barrett, were out for the evening.
Nick helped the children escape through the back door but learned that a 6-year-old girl was still inside. Determined to save her, he re-entered the burning house, braving thick smoke and intense heat. Searching tirelessly through rooms, closets, and beneath furniture, he finally heard faint cries from the ground floor. Feeling his way through the dense smoke, he found the child and cradled her in his arms.
Unable to locate a clear exit due to the suffocating smoke, Nick decided to break a second-story window. Despite injuring his arm, he shattered the glass and leaped from the window with the child in his arms, shielding her from harm during the fall. Surveillance footage captured Nick handing the girl to a police officer outside, gasping for air and asking about her well-being.
Both Nick and the child survived with relatively minor injuries. While Nick suffered severe smoke inhalation and injuries to his arm, he was released from the hospital after receiving treatment. Thankfully, the rest of the children and the family dog, Buffy, were unharmed.
David and Tiera Barrett expressed profound gratitude to Nick for his selflessness. “He’s part of our family now,” David shared, adding that they plan to invite Nick and his girlfriend over for dinner once they settle into a new home.
Investigators believe the fire was caused by ashes improperly discarded in a bucket on the porch. Meanwhile, the community has rallied around Nick, organizing multiple fundraisers to help cover his medical expenses. The Lafayette Aviators baseball team is set to honor Nick at an upcoming game, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting his recovery.
Reflecting on his bravery, Nick humbly said, “I’m no celebrity hero. I was just at the right place at the right time with the right instincts.” His courage and quick thinking have left an indelible mark on the lives he saved and the community he inspired.