Thomas Gardner, 52, pipe fitter’s helper, rescued William D. Clarke, 28, supervisor of installations, from burning, Saint Joseph, Louisiana, August 22, 1946. While Clarke was in an excavation 4.5 feet deep removing a broken pipe from which a mixture of butane and propane gas had escaped, the gas ignited; and flames 30 feet high filled the excavation and extended six feet beyond the sides. Gardner, whose legs were crippled, ran out of the flames, escaping burns. Pulling forward his long-visored cap and shielding his face partly with one arm, he jumped into the excavation and grasped Clarke, who weighed 235 pounds, but could not move him; and Gardner ran out of the flames for air. Returning to Clarke, he pushed and lifted him with great difficulty to one side of the excavation, where Clarke with aid from Gardner pulled himself partly out. Gardner then got out of the excavation and in flames pulled Clarke out. Clarke died of his burns the following day. Gardner sustained serious burns and a torn shoulder muscle. 40822-3493
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