Jonathon E. J. Swenson died after attempting to save Eva J., Samantha R., and Rodney A. Dworsack from burning, Tacoma, Washington, February 4, 1989. Miss Dworsack, 19, and her children, Samantha, 2, and Rodney, 11 months, were in a second-floor bedroom of a two-story house when fire broke out on the first floor. Miss Dworsack’s nephew, Jonathan, 9, student, who was on the first floor with other family members, was alerted to the fire and, rather than flee the house, ran upstairs, yelling, and alerted Miss Dworsack. Overcome by smoke, Miss Dworsack was removed shortly by arriving firefighters, as were her children. They were hospitalized for burns and smoke inhalation. Jonathon, also overcome by smoke, was also hospitalized but died of his injuries two days later.
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