Keith E. Tiffany attempted to save Robert J. Morris from burning, Six Lakes, Michigan, July 27, 1941. While Robert, 6, and other boys were asleep in a bedroom at the head of the stairs on the second floor of a frame house, the house caught fire. Flames were issuing through a door that was but five feet from the head of the stairs. Robert’s father and a woman aided one of the boys onto the stairs, and the three went downstairs and outside. Twice again Robert’s father ascended to the bedroom; and each time he groped on the floor, became choked by the heat, and went outside. Another man ran to the bedroom, got hold of his son and another boy, both of whom were unconscious, and carried them outside. Tiffany, 27, gas field operator, was attracted; and holding his breath, he ran up the stairway, walked nine feet into the bedroom, and found Robert lying unconscious on the floor. Flames then extended to within three feet of the head of the stairs and were along the edge of the floor at the stairs. Tiffany carried Robert down the stairs and outside, having been in the room for a half a minute. Robert died 12 hours later. Two of the other boys died within a day. Tiffany sustained second-degree burns on his face and ears and first-degree burns on one finger of each hand. His throat and chest were sore for several days. 39154-3256
39154 – 3256
39154-3256