Adrian P. Hoek, 65, commercial fisherman, saved John F. Hughes, 84, from suffocation, Bay Shore, New York, February 7, 1966. Fire broke out in a front bedroom on the ground floor of a rest home, where Hughes was in his first-floor room at the rear of the frame building. Firemen were notified, and men from a nearby garage assisted the staff members in removing some patients. The flames spread. Dense smoke rising from the building attracted Hoek, who noted the flames in the front rooms. Aware that Hughes was a patient in the home and able to move only with assistance, Hoek ran to the rear. He entered the kitchen and, encountering little smoke, continued through a hall to the bedroom occupied by Hughes. He Iifted Hughes, who was heavier than he, from the bed and with difficulty carried him out of the room. Dense smoke then was pouring into the hall from the front rooms, said Hoek feared a back draft had occurred and would be followed by massive flames. He moved along the hall with Hughes, noting the glow of flames in the adjoining room. With difficulty because of the smoke Hoek found his way to the kitchen, which also was filled with dense smoke. Hoek began coughing as he carried Hughes to within two feet of the outside door. A fireman entered, led Hoek to the door, and then took Hughes outside. Four patients died of suffocation.
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