Emory L. Arnold rescued Ray Whitehead and Deborah L. Cunningham and attempted to rescue Rhonda K. Cunningham from burning, Atlanta, Georgia, August 8, 1978. At night an automobile overturned and trapped Whitehead, 19, Deborah, 19, and Rhonda, 5, inside. Arnold, 40,electrician, opened one door of the inverted vehicle and reached into the front-seat section, where flames had broken out. After removing Whitehead, Arnold returned to the automobile. By then flames had also appeared on the upturned underside of the vehicle and heat was intense. Arnold took hold of Deborah and, after patting out flames on her hair, removed her as the flames suddenly spread. Arnold then reached into the vehicle for Rhonda but had to withdraw due to the increased flames and heat. Rhonda and Deborah suffered fatal burns. Whitehead and Arnold also sustained burns, but they recovered after being hospitalized.
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