William Baldwin, Jr., 35, laborer, saved Harold E. Ware, 2, from burning, Lubbock, Texas, December 3, 1955. While Harold was asleep, flames broke out at a gas stove in the one-room dwelling and ignited a wall. The other children ran from the house and closed the only door, leaving Harold inside alone. Baldwin was informed of the fire and ran 60 feet to the Ware dwelling, where he thought he heard a child crying inside. He opened the door of the dwelling, releasing flames and dense smoke, and plainly heard Harold’s cries. Baldwin then placed a wool jacket over his head and entered the house, where the entire ceiling and sections of three walls were aflame. He dropped to his knees and closed his eyes because of the dense smoke. Guided by Harold’s cries, he crawled 10 feet to the bed, at times passing close to the flames. With his eyes still closed, Baldwin searched the bed until he located Harold, who was wedged against the wall. Baldwin took hold of Harold and, holding the child beneath him, crawled backward 10 feet to the door, where he passed Harold to others. Firemen could not save the house, which was completely gutted. Harold and Baldwin both sustained burns but recovered in three weeks.
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