Francis Southworth Allen, 34, salesman, saved George A. Partridge, 23, salesman, from burning, Ellsworth, Maine, March 14, 1930. While Partridge was fighting fire on the second floor of a court house, a brick tower under which he stood, fell, crashing through the floors to the basement. Partridge was caught in a loop of hose and fell amid debris and burning timbers to the first floor. Bits of embers and occasionally a brick continued to fall. From the outside Allen ran to the door, stopped a moment because of a gush of smoke and sparks, and then went seven feet inside the building to Partridge and tried to pull him free. Then on his knees he cut at the hose with a jackknife. Burning timbers that inclined against the wall at points above Allen settled somewhat while he worked hastily. Finally he severed the hose and dragged Partridge to the door. He put out fire on Partridge’s clothing and hair with his hands. Allen sustained no burns, though several spots were burned in his clothing. Partridge was seriously burned but recovered.
30759 – 2540
30759-2540