Earl H. Smith, 52, gasoline tank-truck driver, saved an indeterminate number of persons from burning and an explosion, Arlington, Virginia, September 6, 1956. When Smith tried to start the motor of his unloaded gasoline tank-truck, which was parked at the wooden loading platform of a petroleum products storage plant near a heavily traveled highway, an explosion occurred under the hood and flames issued six to eight feet upward from it. Flames swirled into the cab and burned the arms and face of Smith, who leaped to the ground and rolled on the wet gravel driveway. He then noted that flames were issuing from beneath the hood toward rubber hoses connected to pipes leading from storage tanks containing 50,000 gallons of gasoline, oil, and kerosene. Fearing that the hoses might become ignited, releasing contents of the tanks and endangering the lives of persons in the vicinity, Smith emptied the truck’s fire extinguisher on the flames which continued unabated. He then moved to the side of the tank behind the cab and pushed with effort until the truck began to coast slowly backwards down a slight grade. Heat was blistering as he climbed quickly into the cab, which was filled with smoke and flames, and guided the truck backwards down the sloping driveway until it stopped 50 feet from the platform in an open area. Neither the loading platform nor the fuel hoses had been ignited. Others who had been attracted summoned firemen who extinguished the flames. Smith was removed to a hospital and treated for second and third degree burns. He received further treatment at home for two months until his burns healed, leaving permanent scars on both hands and on one arm. 43946-4094
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