A HERO OF THE FIRE BRIGADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1694, 25 October 1887, Page 3

A HERO OF THE FIRE BRIGADE

J A. t! rilling story was told a few days a?o by the secretary of St." Mary's Hospital, respecting the two firemen injured at Whitsley's fire. It seems Brown a«d tester were on the lauding of the second flior when the explosion whioh blew out the wall took plaoe. This brought down the roof, and forced the flames through the doorway with Buoh a blinding rush that the men Tere driven down to the flier below. The narrative then proceeds: — Bruised and bleeding, with his face and hands scorched and burned, Lester was stlU not unconnoioos, and was able to find hu way- down the remaining stairs into the etreei. On reaching the open air he turned round to find hia comrade, who he expeoted wag following, when to his horror he disoovered he was aloae. Though so injured and shaken that he was scarcely able to orawl, Lester at once returned, and at the risk of his life made his way back to the landing be had just quittrd. Although only a few seconds had elapsed, he found the Btaircase abl&za, and his comrade lying on the floor In the midst of a heap of debeie, and nearly surrounded by the flames. With maoh trouble he managed to rouse him and get him on his feet, and then down the stairs into the Btreet. 11 Ah, sir," said Brown, "if my mate hadn't come baok and got me out of that plaoe, I shouldn't have seen daylight again, or be lyln' m this hospital now tellin' you the tale." " Not less a hero than the Boldier" is the secretary's verdict respecting Lester ; and the British publio will surely be of the same opinion.