On the cold winter night of February 17, 1990, firefighter John Bertrum Blackwood rescued a fellow firefighter from a burning house in St. John's, Newfoundland. Alerted by the fire captain that a firefighter was trapped inside the house, Mr. Blackwood immediately went in alone, doused with water and equipped with a breathing apparatus. He was met with smoke and flames, yet managed to ascend to the second floor where he heard his comrade calling for help. He groped around until he found the victim, disoriented and burned, and brought him downstairs. At that time Mr. Blackwood's breathing apparatus froze and his face mask filled with smoke, yet he was able to find the door and deliver the victim into the hands of the other firefighters.