Walter B. Dodge, 80, retired textile worker, rescued Roy Butler, 71, from burning, Madeira Beach, Florida, September 25, 1966. At night fire broke out in a house trailer occupied by Butler. Dodge, who lived nearby, was alerted and ran to the trailer. He opened the door and saw flames three feet high in front of a couch on which Butler was seated. Dodge entered the trailer, moved to near the flames, and extended a hand toward Butler, who ignored him. Heat then forced Dodge to leave briefly. When he returned the flames had spread to the wall opposite the door, and the curtains behind the couch were afire. Again Dodge urged Butler to take his outstretched hand but got no response. After retreating briefly to the open door for air, Dodge moved to the edge of the burning area, where the flames then were about four feet high. Butler rose from the couch and stood in the flames. Dodge leaned forward over the flames and took hold of Butler,whose skin was peeling from burns he had sustained. Pulling Butler quickly through the flames and to the door, Dodge stepped outside. With the aid of his wife he then drew Butler from the trailer. Butler was hospitalized but died three days later.
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