'Hero' stepdad suffers burns to 90% of his body after saving kids from devastating apartment explosion

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

A brave stepdad suffered burns to 90 per cent of his body after rushing into a burning building to save his girlfriend's two children.
Cordale Sheffield, 30, has 'no skin left' after an explosion ripped through an apartment complex in Cleveland, his sister said.
He was thrown from the building, but when he got up he noticed his two stepchildren - aged 10 and 11 - were still inside. He urged the children, who were not identified, to jump from the window of the Rainbow Terrace Apartments - but only the body did so.
The little girl was 'too scared' to so Sheffield ran back inside to grab her, a GoFundMe page revealed.
The stepdad's sister, Cierra Alqawi, told News 5 Cleveland: 'He had to go back through the building to go get her, and that's when he got mostly burned.
'He went back in the fire to save her, but he was already burnt up. I think that's when his hair caught on fire, when he went back in.
'They removed all of his skin, so he has no skin.'
Cordale has undergone at least four surgeries, is wrapped in bandages from head to toe, and is expected to be in the hospital for at least six months.
The children have also been hospitalized and sedated, but are 'relatively okay,' Alqawi said.
The children's mother was at work at the time of the incident on June 23.
Alqawi said she is proud of her brother for running back inside to save the children.
'He's a hero, and everybody's recognizing him as a hero,' she said. 'That's just how I want people to recognize my brother as who he is. He's a fighter. He's a hero.'
His sister said she learned about the fire and her brother's injuries through social media. Someone had filmed her brother walking around after saving the children - he resembled a 'zombie.'
'He looked like that,' she told the news outlet. 'That's what he looked like.'
In video obtained by 19 News, another woman is seen throwing a small child from a second-story window to bystanders below.
A few moments later, the same bystanders flagged down firefighters with a ladder to help the woman.
According to Cleveland Fire Lt Mike Norman the fire damaged 44 units, has left roughly 100 people displaced and caused roughly $3.5million of damage.
At statement from the City of Cleveland read: 'A fire broke out in the Garden Valley neighborhood, resulting in significant damage to several homes.
'The firefighters and first responders worked tirelessly to contain the fire and acted quickly to protect residents and preserve property.
'We extend our heartfelt concern to those affected by this incident, especially to the individuals who sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital.
'The city is actively supporting the situation and is in coordination with local partners to ensure that those impacted receive the necessary support and resources during this challenging time.
'The American Red Cross also established the Zelma George Recreation Center as a temporary shelter for residents displaced by the fire.
'The city will continue to coordinate efforts with local organizations to assist those impacted by this tragedy as needed.'
Cordale's family set up the GoFundMe account to help pay for his medical expenses and aftercare. It has so far raised more than $40,000.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.