BRAVED SEA OF FIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 408, 17 July 1928, Page 14

BRAVED SEA OF FIRE

JUMP OVER RIVER OF MOLTEN METAL Two acts of exceptional courage are recorded in “The London Gazette.” It is announced that the King has awarded the Edward medal to Mr. James Marron and Mr. James MeMullin. Last January, while a furnace was being tapped at Acklam Iron Works, Middlesbrough, a portion of the brick flooring near the furnace was forced upwards by an explosion. Flames and several tons of molten metal belched forth. Soon all the ground near the furnace was covered with molten metal; flames were leaping into the air nearly 15 feet high, and it was almost impossible to see on account of steam. A man of 76, named Davies, was

partially overwhelmed and took refuge in a water channel surrounding the furnace. Two vain attempts were made to rescue him by the foreman, but he was beaten back. Marron and McMullin ran to the scene of the explosion, and jumped over the tapping channel, which was then full of molten metal. At first they could see nothing on account of the steam and flames, but on the steam lifting for a few seconds they ran along the water channel, where they saw Davies lying, and carried him away. Subsequently he died from his injuries. The Albert Medal has been awarded to Gunner John Fairclough, R.A. On the night of April 27, 1927, a serious fire occurred in a petrol go down in Ambala. Three Indian boys entered the build ing, carrying a lantern. The nake light ignited the petrol vapour and in a short time the whole building was ablaze. Gunner Fairclough, who was walking alone near by, at once went to their assistance. Despite the fact of intense heat, he three times entered the building and rescued the three children. He was severely burned and the three Indian boys later died. To enter the building the first time was an act calling for great courage, says the official report, but to enter it twice thereafter, knowing the full danger, was an act of exceptional gallantry.