Peter David Woit rescued Richard J. Klein from burning, Carlos, Minnesota, April 8, 2014. Klein, 70, was overcome in the kitchen of his one-story house after fire broke out at night in the adjoining family room, which was in one end of the structure. At his home about 300 feet away, Woit, 54, video producer, saw flames issuing from Klein’s house and called 911. He ran to the scene and, concluding that the house was occupied, went to the end opposite the flames and pounded on a door there, screaming. Thus alerted to the fire, Klein’s wife opened the door and escaped the smoke-filled house, informing Woit that Klein was still inside. Woit took a few steps into the structure, but the smoke repulsed him and he retreated outside. He re-entered, that time on his hands and knees, and crawled toward the sound of Klein’s voice. After going about 20 feet, Woit was in the kitchen, where he felt Klein’s hand on the floor. He grasped Klein about the arm and shoulder and, still crawling, dragged him back toward the door and aided him out of the house. Flames engulfed the family room and spread to two vehicles parked outside it. Klein required hospitalization for treatment of smoke inhalation and minor burns. Woit was observed at the hospital for minor smoke inhalation, and he recovered.
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