Phyllis W. West saved Christina E. Lindsay from burning, Mt. Airy, North Carolina, August 5, 1995. Christina, 1, was in her bedroom in her family’s mobile home when a driverless, two-ton truck coasted onto the property and struck a propane tank adjacent to the home. Knocked through a wall near Christina’s bedroom, the tank was ruptured in the accident, and an explosive rush of flames sent fire both into the residence and upward, above its roof. Christina’s grandmother, Ms. West, 47, electrical connector assembler, who was visiting, was outside with Christina’s mother. Ms. West immediately attempted to gain entry to the mobile home through its front door, but the door would not open. Christina’s mother responded to Christina’s bedroom window and opened it, but she could not gain entry. Hoisted by Christina’s mother, Ms. West climbed to the window, entered the burning structure, and retrieved Christina, then handed her outside. Ms. West then escaped through the window. The mobile home was destroyed in the fire. Christina was not injured, but Ms. West sustained bruises and required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.
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