Forest D. Hickman, 42, locomotive engineer, saved Benjamin H. Eddy, 64, generator operator, from an impending explosion, Marion, Ohio, August 1, 1949. While Eddy was at work in the generator house of a power shovel company, a generator that supplied acetylene gas to the plant exploded, demolishing two walls of the building and causing the roof to collapse. Flames rose from the generator, igniting gas escaping from another generator nearby, and dense smoke filled the building. Eddy was thrust through an opening in the wall by the force of the explosion and lay just outside the building. Hickman heard the explosion and ran 170 feet to a point 30 feet from Eddy. There two men warned him not to attempt a rescue because of the danger of another explosion, but Hickman disregarded them and ran to Eddy. Hickman freed Eddy from the debris, lifted him to his feet, and dragged him 45 feet to safety. No other explosion occurred. Firemen arrived but were unable to play water on the building because of the danger of detonating 13 tons of calcium carbide stored in a room near the generators. The fire burned for an hour and a half. Eddy suffered from shock and concussion and sustained a broken arm and body bruises. 3645-41802
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