L. J. Britt helped to save Richard A. Griffis from suffocation, Natchez, Mississippi, February 13, 1973. When a severe electrical storm made a ventilating fan inoperative, Griffis, 19, and another workman were affected by paint fumes inside an elevated water tank. The other man was able to climb out, but Griffis collapsed. Help was summoned; and among those who arrived was Britt, 32, fire lieutenant. Despite the storm, Britt, two other firemen, and an oil well driller climbed attached ladders and reached the top of the tank about 90 feet above the ground. Britt and another fireman entered the tank long enough to tie a rope around Griffis. Britt and the others then pulled Griffis onto the top of the tank. As the storm continued, Griffis was given artificial respiration and then was lowered in a stretcher which Britt had helped take to the top of the tank. Griffis recovered.
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