Thomas S. McKenzie helped to rescue Francis A. and attempted to rescue Margaret M. Doran from burning, Bow Island, Alberta, September 23, 1988. Doran, 75, and his wife, 78, were in their house when fire broke out in one of the bedrooms. Their neighbor, McKenzie, 40, a police officer who was off duty, saw flames issuing from the roof of their house and entered through the back door but was unable to see because of the dense smoke. He then made repeated entries through the front door to search for the Dorans, finding Doran on the floor at one point, but was forced out by the smoke and intense heat each time. Obtaining a shirt from another neighbor who had arrived and placing it over his mouth, McKenzie again entered the house and crawled to where he had found Doran, but Doran was not there. McKenzie located him nearby and moved him toward the door, where he had assistance in taking Doran from the house. A final time McKenzie entered the house, to search for Mrs. Doran; he made a pass through before the smoke and heat again forced him out. Doran was hospitalized overnight for second-degree burns, and he recovered. Mrs. Doran succumbed to effects of the fire. McKenzie sustained minor burns to his elbows, knees, and arms; he recovered.
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