Antonio Cruz rescued Fred Cilsick from burning, New York, New York, December 23, 1971. Cilsick, 60, welder, and Cruz, 33, maintenance mechanic, were working atop a transformer at a power substation when an explosion knocked them down and caused flames to rise 15 feet into the air. Cruz delayed his escape from the increasing flames in order to aid Cilsick, who was badly injured and burned. He moved Cilsick to the edge of the transformer and then lowered himself onto a pipe 15 feet above the ground between the transformer and an adjacent unit. Lifting Cilsick onto his shoulder, Cruz then stepped three feet from the pipe onto the adjacent unit, from which point he lowered Cilsick to persons on the ground. Cilsick was hospitalized, and he recovered from his injuries and burns. 52344-5972
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