John M. Dornhoefer sustained fatal injuries rescuing Frank Lantz from burning, Amityville, New York, March 5, 1941. While Lantz, 55, laborer, and Dornhoefer, 76, gardener, were asleep in adjoining bedrooms on the ground floor of an apartment in a frame building, the apartment caught fire. Dornhoefer opened a window and escaped through it. He had sustained no burns. He broke the window of Lautz’s room and climbed into it. Lautz was lying on the bed and was unconscious. Flames rose a foot from bedclothes at and near Lantz’s feet. Dense smoke and intense heat were in the room. Dornhoefer with his hands and a blanket patted the flames. He then dragged Lantz to the window, pushed him out, and then climbed out, falling on Lantz. Rousing Lantz, Dornhoefer aided him away from the apartment. Both had sustained fatal burns. Lantz died eight hours after the accident, and Dornhoefer died two days later. 38935-3229
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