Creve Coeur Teen Honored For Pulling Friend from Fire

A Creve Coeur teen was among several honored Monday night for likely saving the lives of fellow human beings by jumping into action before firefighters and paramedics arrived.

Tyler Muchnick, 18, until he successfully pulled out his good friend Chris Burns, 18, into the garage. He then flagged down others to move his friend into the front yard, and away from the flames until firefighters arrived.

The men he flagged down, Will Steffen and Paul Knight, received Citizen Life Saver Certificates of Recognition for their work in assisting Muchnick until first responders arrived on scene.

Laura Burns spoke tearfully about her son Chris, saying that while he suffered burns over 54 percent of his body—primarily upper body, he is now recovering after skin grafts and therapy.

"We almost lost Chris that day," she said. They live in Texas now. Chris did not travel to the award ceremony. She credited Muchnick with saving him.

Laura Burns said afterward that when the fire occured, her son had just returned to Chesterfield from Texas to start a job the next day.

She said the two teens had been friends since kindergarten and they lived in the house with two others at 12956 Fernway Lane, in Creve Coeur. The others were not home.

She said possibly a fan or heater started the house fire.