Leigh P. Mac Williams attempted to rescue Lydia C. Johnson and her daughter Lottie E., from burning, O’Leary, Prince Edward Island, February 8, 1962. Fire broke out on the ground floor of a two-story frame dwelling in which Mrs. Johnson, 92, was alone. Her daughter, 63, and MacWilliams, 56, electrician, arrived and saw smoke issuing from under the kitchen door. Followed by Miss Johnson, MacWilliams entered the kitchen, which was filled with dense black smoke. He groped about the room and found Mrs. Johnson unconscious on the floor ten feet from the door. As he stooped to pick her up, MacWilliams touched a cream separator with his hand, sustaining a severe burn on the hot metal. He carried Mrs. Johnson, who had suffered extensive burns, outside as Miss Johnson followed. MacWilliams placed Mrs. Johnson in his automobile and then backed it a safe distance away. Noting that Miss Johnson was nowhere in sight, he decided she had gone back into the dwelling. MacWilliams re-entered the kitchen and stumbled blindly about the room, calling to Miss Johnson. The increasing smoke caused him to choke and cough. Heat was intense. He became confused and bumped into a wall before locating the door. MacWilliams emerged from the dwelling with his clothing afire and removed his burning jacket. Others then arrived and beat out the rest of the flames on his attire. Within a few minutes the dwelling was completely in flames which destroyed the structure. The body of Miss Johnson was found in the ruins. MacWilliams and Mrs. Johnson were removed to a hospital, where the latter succumbed 11 hours later. MacWilliams was unable to work for 11 months because of his severe burns, which left him partially disabled.
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