Donald Ericson rescued Elizabeth G. Shoaf from burning, The Woodlands, Texas, June 5, 2009. Shoaf, 85, was in a bedroom of her one-story house after fire broke out in the laundry room at night and spread. Ericson, 51, technology manager, who lived next door, was alerted to the fire and saw flames issuing from Shoaf’s house. Unable to gain access to the house through its front door, he went to the rear of the structure and pried open a door leading from a deck into the living room. He then stepped inside to find blistering heat, dense smoke that limited visibility, and flames that rolled across the living room ceiling. Calling to Shoaf, Ericson followed her voice to her bedroom, where he found her on the floor. After attempting without success to use a bedroom door that opened to the outside, Ericson retraced his path to the living room, dragging Shoaf. Lack of oxygen forced him outside briefly. Returning to Shoaf, he dragged her outside and away from the house before collapsing. Firefighters arrived shortly, and emergency medical personnel took Shoaf and Ericson to the hospital, where both were admitted for treatment of smoke inhalation. Detained three days, Erickson also suffered burns to his ears and neck.
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