Donald H. Miller, 41, electrical contractor, saved Henry S., 12, and John M. Keel, 10, schoolboys, and Ruth F. Keel, 5, and attempted to save Michael X. Keel, 3, from suffocation, South Miami, Florida, November 22, 1959. At night while Henry, John, Ruth, Michael, and their mother were asleep in a one story dwelling, fire broke out and began to spread rapidly. The smoke awakened the children. Miller and other neighbors were attracted. By that time flames extended about eight feet from windows broken by the heat. Learning that the mother and four children still were inside, Miller, who wore only shorts, broke a bedroom window and climbed through it. Heat was intense, and dense smoke filled the room. Holding his breath, Miller searched the room, found Henry lying on the floor, carried him to the window, and thrust him through it to persons outside. Miller breathed fresh air and then groped his way into an adjoining bedroom, where he found John. As he lifted John from the floor, Miller was forced to inhale smoke. Coughing badly, he carried John to the window and handed him to those outside. Miller then held his breath and searched the room until he found Ruth, whom he also handed through the window. Hearing still another child, Miller once more groped his way into the adjoining bedroom. He moved to within three feet of flames in the hall and searched about on a bed but failed to find anyone. Again he was forced to inhale smoke and, choking and coughing, made his way back to the window for air. He then moved in the opposite direction through the room and onto an enclosed porch, but he found no one there. Coughing violently from smoke, he became confused in his direction before locating the window, through which he left the dwelling. Firemen arrived and extinguished the flames. Michael and his mother were found dead. John and Henry were hospitalized for smoke poisoning and recovered. Miller, who had been inside the dwelling about five minutes, was treated for bronchitis caused by smoke inhalation and recovered. 44901-4342
44901 – 4342
44901-4342