Ore. boy, 12, rescues grandma from burning home
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VERNONIA, Ore. – A 12-year-old boy carried his grandmother to safety after a propane heater exploded in their home and started a fire on Friday.
Seth Cutright said he smelled the leaking gas just before his grandmother, Rose Cutright, lit a cigarette and their home exploded in flames.
“It was like ‘boom.’ A flash before your eyes,” said Seth.
The fire broke out just before 3 p.m. at their home in Vernonia, about 25 miles southwest of Longview, Wash.
Seth and Rose were the only family members home during the explosion and fire.
“My grandma was on fire,” he said. “Not completely on fire, just a little bit. Then when I was walking, it went out. I carried her outside and set her on the ground. I went to the next-door neighbor’s and said call the ambulance.”
The two are recovering at the Oregon Burn Center in Portland.
“I love you. I’m proud of you. You’re my hero,” Seth's father, Roger Cutright, said to his son.
Seth and Roger Cutright said they wanted to talk about the fire on TV because they are so grateful for the doctors at the burn center.
It took about three hours for firefighters to get the fire under control. They were able to save several cats and some chickens.
The Red Cross is helping the Cutright family.
Video courtesy KATU viewer Lisa Ragsdale
Very well done, sir, and best to you and your grandmother for speedy, relatively low pain recovery!
This is a brave young man and I'm so happy that both he and his grandma made it out ok. Don't worry about the burns; they look like 1st and 2nd degree burns and knowing that type of burn you won't have any scaring. If you do have any scaring believe me the girls will love them and eat up your story. I just wish you didn't have to deal with the pain. Your heroism will be remembered for a long time.
I just posted on KATU TV website using this same login. They are the sister station in Portland. Your messages will be seen by Oregonians and hopefully this hero.
what a brave young man, well done sir, salute
Despite the comments here about Grandma smoking, her grandson thought she was worth saving!
This boy is a true hero. I want to give him mad props for what he did.
what a stud
LOVE.
Amazing! Â What a brave boy. Â We can just hope Grandma learned her lesson and will give up the cigarettes.
Seth, you are a brave soul!! Even if you have a few scars, hold your head up and carry them proudly, they tell a story..and YOUR story is truly amazing!
You are a true hero. Grow up strong and well. We need people like you young man.
My oh my, what a wonderful and brave young man. Great job, Seth. And great job to the firefighters who helped save so many animals in danger as well. Though the road to recovery will not be an easy one, you will look just fine when it's over!
My heart swells with pride for this quick thinking young "MAN"! What a brave and selfless thing to do, may you be blessed all your live long days! And don't forget that women love scars!
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It will take time but use ALLOT of Vitamin E My daughter had a 3rd degree burn I used vitamin E and she has no scars at all now. GOOD JOB
Brave kid, hopefully the burns won't leave too many scars. I don't think his face is as bad as it looks; this just happened Friday, if the burns were really severe he wouldn't be outside walking around, he'd be covered in sterile gauze waiting for skin grafts. Hopefully it's more like a really bad sunburn, and he'll be as cute as ever in no time.
SETH!!!! You are my hero.. first you save your grandma from a fire. Now, you show us your face to help prevent more people from getting burned, or worse... It is so obveous how proud your family is of you. You and your family are homeless right now, with no belongings. But you couldn't meet a happier family. I wish I had a son like you. I have propane in my house. So I will now be extra vigilant now, thanks to your warning. I hope that your grandmother gets well soon. She looks like she is up there in age. I know that she did not mean to cause harm to herself and especially her grandson. Whether she was wrong or not, she is very old, and I hope she can forgive herself because life is short. People will say harsh things about this because they care and feel helpless that they can't help you. Seeing a child hurt is painful for people. But you being brave by showing us this warning, may have prevented a death this year. So, again, thank you for that. I will be sending you and your family Good Thoughts, especially your grandmother because I know it would mean everything to you to see your grandmother OK.Â
Awesome job Seth.
HERO
To those here who judge grandma remember this - when you point a finger, you have 3 pointing back at you. I am sure all of you do things that the rest of us could judge you on!
 @raven  What, you mean for exposing her grandchildren to cigarette smoke on what I assume to be on a regular basis? Meh, my grandmother did the same thing. Surprised she never set anything on fire herself.  She babysat me every day growing up though and my lung capacity has been getting worse despite running every day so I need to go check it out :\ If grandma gave me lung cancer you better believe i'm going to be bitter. Also, lets not forget that I had ear infections constantly - ruptured my ear drum from an inner ear infection. Had pneumonia twice as well. That was just me, not my brother or sister. Grandma eventually died of lung cancer herself.http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/general_facts/index.htm
@quidproquo @raven Most of us growing up were exposed to second hand smoke. Did you know microwaving things in plasic containers can lead to throat cancer? Did you know sitting in traffic for 30 minutes a day is the same as a pack of cigarettes?
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Let's just be grateful that a 12 year old boy saved his grandma's life. I hope he doesn't enbitter himself like most Seattlites.
Agreed. There are so many things out there that cause harm, not just cigarettes. I'm not bitter. I was a firefighter for 12 years, including wildland, but am happy to report I have never had pneumonia, bronchitis, and still have good enough lung capacity to play the flute...so :)
 @kockatoo Funny enough, I'm from TN. Only moved here in recent years. Do go on about bitter Seattlites though. Happier here than i've been in my entire life.Lost hearing is a huge pain in the butt though :(Â
What a brave young man. Seth - you will be blessed.
incredible work young man
What a kid! He should be able to hold his head up high the rest of his life. Â
WOW!! KUDOS Young Man!!!Â
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Be Proud of Yourself, and rightfully so!!
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The kid is AWESOME!!!
I echo the comments of a lot of the previous posters about how this young man is a hero. Posters should withhold their judgement of the Grandma for now. How can we as posters who are touched by this young man reached out to him and help HIM in his difficult time. I'd like to send him an XBOX 360 to recognize his efforts.
 @TomFromAlabama I was thinking same thing..how do I help?
  @Yeah_and I called Portland Chapter of Red Cross--waiting for contact info for the family.
 @TomFromAlabama The TV clip mentioned that the Red Cross was helping the family right now. I suspect that a call to the Portland area RC would put you on the right path.
Very proud of this young man. What a wonderful person. Good job little guy. Here's to a fast recovery.Â
Amazing young man. Truly.
Now that there is the face of a hero!
You sir are a hero. Best wishes for a very speedy recovery for you and your grandmother.
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Mike
Seth, you are an exceptional young man. Â You are a true hero, very brave to do what you have done. Â I pray that each day, you & your grandmother heal more & more from the fire. Â Great job, kid!
Don't worry Seth, I think many many people, some of them cute and your age, will find you very handsome. You've got an interesting story to tell and so many people that love you. Great job man.
Such an unselfish act, not many children now a days would do such a thing. For many children so wrapped up in themselves, games, phones, and music, that they only think of themselves. One of few heroes in this world. Prayers go out to Seth and his grandmother for a speedy recovery! Thank you Seth for being a good example for many others, some adults could even learn from this.
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 @cajunurse I know a lot of good kids. I live in a very small town, and most of the kids here are pretty cool. I used to live in Seattle where I didn't know my neighbors at all and had zero interaction with any kid who didn't belong to a friend of mine. Of course, those kids were awesome too. I just wonder about our perceptions. In Seattle, It was like I was afraid to interact with strangers. My point of view is definitely different now, having almost daily interaction with kids when just walking through town or going to a store- kids everywhere, and most of them are pretty nice.
 @two loons  @cajunurse two loons, I used to be able to talk to any kid, when in uniform. When I quit, it was hard to not make contact when I saw a child who needed a simple "hello" or comment on basically anything..most of the time the parents I think could "tell" I was fine, small blonde lady, basically eye level with their 7 yr old..lol.. but I miss the daily interactions. Kids are so cool. They taught me so much with their unbiased logic and their wonderful imaginations.
I kiss mine everyday! She's growing so quick. Young lady now..I think I'm having "empty nest" just when she goes to school!! What do I do when she leaves??!!Â
I'll get a puppy..or a goldfish..
@cajunurse If I were in a fire, I would be beyond pissed if my kids hung around to help me out instead of getting themselves out. It's not that they are selfish, children SHOULD be out first. There are plenty of instances where children have burned themselves trying to save pets and those video game machines. Please don't be so jaded.
@ kockatoo, I am not jaded, not that i would WANT my children to die trying to save me, I am saying it is great that this child thought enough to save his grandmother, and not worry about the petty things like save those video game machine. Not like he was saving his pet or game then thought hmm let me save grandma instead. No his first instinct was to help his grandmother. And I agree with Northend kids like Seth are the ones to grow up to be those medics, firefighters, military, etc. that truly do what they do because they care about what happens to people. Children like this grow up doing a job because they care for people and their well being.
 @kockatoo  @cajunurse Then you expect firefighters, cops and military to not stand idly by and watch? cajunurse is correct: Seth is a shining example of what selfless looks like. Are you teaching your kids to stay away from danger? To stand by while something horrible happens? Kids like Seth grow up to be medics, firefighters, military, etc who are not afraid to face the fire and save lives.
You got brass testicles, young man. Good job!
Just when I thought that they we did not make them like that anymore, my faith is restored.  He displayed guts, determination, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility far beyond his years. Seth, you are an inspiration to us all.  Â
Seth: You're a stud! Don't ever forget it.
Darn kid is a REAL hero.
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we throw the word around a little too freely since 9/11 - everyone who some some little thing or another gets called 'hero' these days, but this kid is flat out a hero - period. He is one of the few that actually deserve the title.
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The pictures of the lad shows extensive burns to his face, head, and hands and that had to
be painful. His actions of saving his grandmother, in spite of the pain that he must of had
to be experiencing pain do indeed make him a hero.
Next time smoke outside. What are you doing smoking in a home with children. Grandma this is your fault....
 @SkingCoWa It could have been a candle that started it. Any flame would have caused an explosion including the refrigerator.Â
 @SkingCoWa While I agree that adults shouldn't smoke in a home with children, I think saying it's her fault is asinine. A heater was leaking gas and there would have been a fire whether it was someone lighting a cigarette, candle, or an incense stick.
@SkingCoWa You are a jerk. I notice you have a confederate flag so one should not be surprised at such a hateful comment by a hateful person.
I'm sure she has some regrets; she's lost her home, but it's not your place to dictate where and when she smokes. Tons of people I know, myself included, grew up with parents who smoked IN the home. I do not.  This woman's grandson is a hero, regardless.
 @casey42 My mother had a cigarette while she was in labor with me..must be why I'm so short.. :) That changed, she quit.Â
This kid rocks, true hero. Grandma is old school..I cannot judge this woman.
Lol ... yep, my mom too -- and she had twins.Â
@SkingCoWa bend over, spread 'em (or lie back and grab your ankles) and my tongue will tickle & explore your crack and big penis... I'll blow you too. all I ask is that you be a goodlooking young white jock over age 21 please -where I can slurp some juicy sperm out your brown hole after my boyfriend jizzes his load up your anus. slurping and burpin baby
@SkingCoWa
Kind of missed the point didnât you, like by several miles.Â
@SkingCoWa - over the top dude. Over the freaking top.
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Have some sensitivity eh?
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I don't think so she should not be smoking around kids in a house or anywhere. I speak the truth regardless how "sensitive"Â Â I am not. That old coot should be ashamed it is her fault. <----- PERIOD!!
 @SkingCoWa Being mean spirited post.
@SkingCoWa Again - you need to evaluate your life - I dont agree with that flag of hate that is your logo. Gee - you are a jerk and insensitive. It is your fault that there is so much hate in this world.
 @SkingCoWa 100% agree
it is very harsh but honest too. If people want to smoke they have every right to do so, but if you share a house with someone else, especially a kid...don't smoke. it's not your right to impact their health like that.
But I agree that the opinion could and should have been worded better and not so judgemental, time and place and all that.
@ nomad, and one could beg to differ with some of your comment as well. It's my choice not to smoke in my house, with my daughter there. And I probably still won't smoke in my house after she moves out. But Grandma is Grandma -- can pretty much do what they want in their own home. It's not her responsibility to change up her life because her grandson is there (for whatever reason) ... I'm sure Seth's parents know she is a smoker. But, I'm also sure it's not the first time she's ever lit up with Seth in the house.Â
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Question is ... why was the propane tank leaking?Â
@nomad Don't judge - I am sure you are doing things that others could judge you for!