George H. Otterson, 17, schoolboy, rescued Alverta M. and Doloris F. Bashore, 15 and 4, respectively, from burning, McGrath, Minnesota, February 8, 1930. Alverta and Doloris were in a room on the upper floor of their home when fire started from the explosion of a gasoline lamp in the kitchen on the ground floor. Alverta led Doloris to the outside door in the kitchen, but Doloris then broke away from her and ran back from the door. Alverta went after her, and the door swung shut. George arrived a moment later and learned that the children were in the house. He opened the door and ran into the kitchen. The door closed behind him. The walls and the ceiling, which were covered with tarpaper, were burning, and there was considerable smoke. He went 10 feet or more to Alverta, who was crouching over Doloris, and dragged the two girls to the door and opened it. The three fell out of the door. Alverta died four days later as the result of her burns. Doloris sustained some burns but recovered. George received first-degree burns on his face and hands and was disabled two weeks.
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