Joseph Beryl Knox rescued Harold S. Jones from burning, Pasadena, California, August 14, 1962. While Jones, 26, electrical mechanic, was working in an electrical vault 10 feet below ground level, a cutout switch exploded and sprayed a gallon of burning oil throughout the chamber. Jones was knocked to the floor and severely burned. Knox, 54, electrical utility man, and other workmen at ground level saw flashes of flames and then black smoke issue from the two manholes, which provided access to the vault. Aware that other switches or oil-filled transformers might also explode, Knox descended a ladder into the smoke-filled chamber. He could see nothing but was guided to Jones by his calls for help. Knox took hold of Jones, sustaining burns from flames on his clothing, and aided him to his feet. Jones beat out the flames as Knox led him five feet to the ladder. Although his hands were too badly burned to grasp the ladder, Jones secured footholds on it when Knox heaved him upward. Knox then pushed Jones several feet up the ladder while holding him against it. Other workmen reached into the manhole and drew Jones from the chamber. Knox followed, coughing from the smoke as he emerged from the vault. Jones recovered in seven months.
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