Stephen Cyril DeSalvo rescued Patricia E. Marshall from burning, Irvine, California, January 25, 1982. Miss Marshall, 28, lay injured and badly burned on the floor of an enclosed atrium in her burning house. Attracted by the glow of flames, DeSalvo, 23, college student, broke a window adjacent the house’s front door and entered but was driven out by smoke and intense heat. He entered a second time, during which he heard Miss Marshall cry for help, but again he was forced outside. DeSalvo entered a third time; flames had increased and blocked his path. Using a small fire extinguisher, he created an opening in the flames through which he ran to get Miss Marshall, who lay 20 feet away. Seizing her, he took her back to the window, again having to go through flames, and left the house with her. Miss Marshall was hospitalized for two months for treatment of her injuries and extensive burns.
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