Nicholas Bostic: Heroic Pizza Delivery Man Saves Six Children

In the quiet town of Lafayette, Indiana, a remarkable story of bravery unfolded on July 11, 2022. Nicholas Bostic, a 25-year-old pizza delivery man, became an unexpected hero when he risked his life to save six children from a raging house fire. His selfless actions not only saved lives but also captured the hearts of a community and beyond. This is the detailed account of that unforgettable night, a testament to courage and human kindness.

A Normal Night Turns Extraordinary

It was just after midnight, and Nicholas Bostic was driving through a Lafayette neighborhood. He had left his apartment after a minor argument with his girlfriend, Kara Lewis, and was out to clear his head. Without his phone, he was alone with his thoughts, cruising the familiar streets he often traveled for pizza deliveries. The night seemed calm, almost sleepy, until a faint orange glow caught his eye. As he passed a two-story house, he realized it was engulfed in flames. Without hesitation, Bostic slammed on the brakes, threw his car into reverse, and pulled into the driveway.

The house, located in the 2200 block of Union Street, was home to the Barrett family. Inside were five siblings—Seionna (18), Shaylee (13), Kaleia (1), Kaylani (6), and a 13-year-old friend, Livian Knifley, who was sleeping over. The parents, David and Tiera Barrett, were out for a rare date night, leaving Seionna in charge. Unbeknownst to the sleeping children, a fire had started on the porch, likely from ashes in a bucket that weren’t fully extinguished. The flames quickly spread, creeping into the living room and up toward the bedrooms.

Running Toward Danger

Most people would have stayed back, waiting for firefighters or calling 911. But Bostic didn’t have his phone, and he knew every second counted. The sight of the fire sent adrenaline coursing through him. “It was fight or flight,” he later told reporters. “I hightailed my butt into the house.” With no regard for his own safety, he ran to the back door, which was unlocked, and stepped into a wall of heat and smoke.

Inside, the house was dark, the air thick with choking smoke. Bostic shouted, “Is anybody in there?” His voice echoed, but no one answered. For a moment, he wondered if the house was empty—or if the occupants were already in danger. Determined to find out, he pushed deeper into the home, his heart pounding. The flames were intense, licking up the walls, and the smoke made it hard to see more than a few inches ahead. Still, he pressed on, driven by the thought that someone might need help.

Finding the First Children

As Bostic reached the staircase, he saw a faint outline at the top through the haze. It was Seionna Barrett, the 18-year-old, herding her younger siblings and their friend. She had woken to the smell of smoke and was frantically trying to get everyone out. In her arms was 1-year-old Kaleia, while 13-year-old Shaylee and Livian stood close behind. Bostic’s shouts had roused them just in time.

He didn’t pause to think. “Get out, now!” he urged, guiding them down the stairs. The group stumbled through the smoke, coughing and disoriented, but Bostic stayed calm, leading them to the back door and out into the cool night air. Once they were safe on the lawn, he took a moment to catch his breath, his lungs burning from the smoke. But the relief was short-lived. Seionna’s panicked voice cut through the night: “Kaylani’s still inside!”

A Heart-Stopping Realization

Six-year-old Kaylani, nicknamed “Baby K,” was nowhere to be seen. In the chaos, she hadn’t made it out with the others. Bostic’s heart sank. The house was now a roaring inferno, with flames spreading rapidly and smoke so thick it was like a black curtain. Most would have stopped there, knowing the danger was too great. But Bostic didn’t hesitate. “I knew I was her only chance,” he later said. Without a word, he turned and ran back into the burning house.

The conditions inside were worse than before. The heat was unbearable, and the smoke stung his eyes and throat. Bostic searched frantically, checking bedrooms, looking under beds, and calling out for Kaylani. He couldn’t see her, and for a moment, he feared the worst. Then, through the deafening crackle of the fire, he heard faint cries coming from downstairs. Using his ears to guide him, he stumbled through the darkness, his shirt pulled over his nose to filter the toxic air.

A Race Against Time

Near the living room, Bostic found Kaylani, scared and alone. He scooped her up, holding her tightly as he looked for a way out. But the back door he’d used before was now blocked by flames. Disoriented and choking, he realized the only escape was upstairs. With Kaylani in his arms, he climbed the stairs, the fire chasing them. The smoke was so dense he could barely see the faint glow of a window in one of the bedrooms.

Bostic knew they couldn’t wait. The fire was closing in, and an explosion on the porch had made the situation even more dire. He reached the window, punched it out with his bare fist, and felt the glass slice into his arm. Ignoring the pain, he carefully wrapped Kaylani around his left side, making sure to protect her from the fall. Then, with a deep breath, he jumped from the second-story window, twisting his body to land on his right side and shield the girl.

A Hero’s Landing

They hit the ground hard. Bostic’s body took the brunt of the impact, but Kaylani was safe, suffering only a minor cut on her foot. Staggering to his feet, he carried her to the first responders who had just arrived. Body camera footage captured the moment he handed Kaylani to police, his voice hoarse as he gasped, “Is the baby OK? Please tell me the baby’s OK.” Assured she was fine, he collapsed onto the pavement, exhausted and in pain. “I need oxygen,” he wheezed, his lungs ravaged by smoke.

Emergency crews rushed to his side, applying a tourniquet to his bleeding arm and treating him for severe smoke inhalation. The other children were safe, miraculously unharmed except for minor injuries. The family dog, Buffy, was also rescued by EMTs. As Bostic lay on the grass, the reality of what he’d done began to sink in. He had saved six lives, but the cost was high. He was airlifted to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, where he spent three days recovering from burns, a deep laceration on his arm, and critical smoke inhalation.

A Community’s Gratitude

When David and Tiera Barrett returned home, they found their house destroyed and emergency vehicles everywhere. Seionna’s desperate words—“I can’t find Kaylani”—echoed in David’s mind until police told him she was safe in an ambulance, thanks to a stranger named Nick. Overwhelmed with gratitude, David met Bostic soon after and embraced him, tears streaming down his face. “He saved my baby,” David said. “There’s no words I can express.”

The Lafayette community rallied around both the Barrett family and their hero. A GoFundMe campaign for Bostic’s medical bills raised over $350,000, while another for the Barretts helped them replace belongings lost in the fire. The city planned to honor Bostic at a Lafayette Aviators baseball game on August 2, 2022, during National Night Out, with ticket sales supporting his recovery. The police department praised his “courage, tenacity, and steadfast calmness,” calling his actions “nothing short of heroic.”

The Making of a Hero

Who is Nicholas Bostic, the man who risked everything for strangers? Born and raised in Lafayette, Bostic had a challenging childhood, moving between his parents’ homes in Indiana and Arkansas. He struggled with trouble in his youth, including methamphetamine use, and lost friends to suicide. By 2022, though, he was turning his life around. He had quit hard drugs, was working at Papa Johns, and had a supportive girlfriend. Friends described him as someone with a big heart, even if he didn’t always know how to show it.

That night, Bostic’s heart led him into the fire. Despite his injuries, he remained humble, insisting he wasn’t a hero. “I was just at the right place, the right time,” he told reporters. “If it was me in that house, I’d hope someone would do the same.” Yet his actions spoke louder than his words. He didn’t just save lives—he gave the Barrett family a second chance.

A Lasting Impact

Bostic’s bravery earned him more than community praise. In March 2023, he was awarded the Carnegie Medal, the highest civilian honor for heroism in the United States. The award recognized his extraordinary courage alongside 15 other recipients who risked their lives for others. For Bostic, the experience was life-changing. “It made me realize how precious life is,” he said. “I want to be a better person.”

The Barretts, too, were forever changed. They invited Bostic to church and family dinners, welcoming him as one of their own. “I feel like God used him as a tool,” David Barrett said. The fire brought the family closer, and the community’s support helped them rebuild. Seionna, who played a key role in waking her siblings, was also hailed as a hero, especially by her parents.

Lessons from a Hero

Nicholas Bostic’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have. His split-second decision to act, despite the danger, shows that heroism doesn’t require a cape or special training—just a willingness to help. It also highlights the importance of community, as Lafayette came together to support both the Barretts and Bostic in their time of need.

For Bostic, the night of July 11, 2022, was a turning point. He faced his fears, pushed through pain, and emerged not just a survivor but a symbol of hope. His story inspires us to look out for one another, to act when it matters most, and to recognize the heroes among us—sometimes even a pizza delivery man driving by in the dead of night.

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