Bertrand boy helps save residents of apartment complex

Karter Wiley recieves a certificate and new bike from Bertrand firefighter George Durrow. Collin Stinson, Staff

BERTRAND, Mo - A Bertrand boy proved heroes don't always come with a mask and cape.

Karter Wiley, a 4-year-old, was playing outdoors when he saw smoke and fire exiting the second floor of his apartment building on 600 Cedar St. on Tuesday.

Karter rushed to alarm his mother, Kaela Draper who was outside with him. "I thought he was joking," Kaela said. "Then I saw a lady come out with her daughter so I started knocking from door-to-door."

There were eight residents home and because of Karter, all eight were left unharmed.

"Karter is my hero," said Bertrant Assistant Fire Chief Alicia Hise.

According to the fire department, an electric fire started in a kitchen outlet. It went up about a foot inside the wall until spread over the kitchen exterior wall in the stairwell.

The Bertrand Fire Department got a call at approximately 3:15 p.m. Firefighters were puzzled when they arrived on scene just a minute later. "We were expecting to see a fire," said Hise.

A firewall prevented more fire from spreading, giving residents a chance to extinguish the flames.

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