Jonathan M. Nielsen, Sr., attempted to rescue Heather J. Manley from burning, Morrisville, Vermont, September 19, 2011. Manley, 48, was in her first-floor apartment after fire broke out in the living room at night. In an apartment nearby, Nielsen, 32, laborer, heard a smoke alarm and discovered the fire. He responded to Manley’s unit and attempted entry, but its front door was locked. Nielsen then ran around the building to the sliding glass door at the rear of the apartment, which opened to the living room, and broke through it. Barefoot, he entered the apartment to search for Manley but was unable to breathe in the deteriorating conditions, which included growing flames, dense smoke, and blistering heat. Nielsen left the apartment and returned to the front door, which he struck with a sledgehammer, forcing it open. Seeing Manley unresponsive on the floor not far from the door, he crawled to her, grasped her, and dragged her outside the building. He attempted to revive her, but she had succumbed. Flames rapidly spread in the apartment. Nielsen required hospital treatment for first- and second-degree burns to his hands and smoke inhalation injury. He recovered.
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