Harvey C. Whipps, 34, mechanic, rescued Patsy L., 3, and Judith E. Babb, 10, from burning, Aitkin, Minnesota, December 21, 1949. Patsy and Judith were in a bedroom on the first floor of their home when fire broke out in an adjoining kitchen. The flames quickly spread, dense smoke filled the first floor, and heat became intense. Whipps, seeing smoke, ran 75 feet to the house and entered the kitchen door. He ran through the kitchen to the bedroom and found the girls on a bed. He carried Patsy and taking hold of Judith’s arm guided her into the kitchen, the ceiling of which was entirely afire. Heat was blistering, and visibility was limited to two feet. Whipps moved slowly with the girls to the door as sections of burning wallpaper and asphalt fell on them from the ceiling. His clothing afire, Whipps with much difficulty opened the door and stumbled from the house with the girls. He put out the flames on his clothing. Other members of the family escaped from the house, which was destroyed in a half an hour. Patsy and Judith were seriously burned, and Whipps sustained severe bums of the face, neck, wrists, and shoulder, being disabled for four weeks. All recovered. 3681-41915
41915 – 3681
41915-3681