Star of Courage
Awarded on: 1996-05-16
Invested on: 1996-12-06
On February 19, 1995, Mrs. Bjornson rescued her two grandchildren from her burning house in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. When a malfunctioning vacuum cleaner suddenly burst into flames, setting alight the nearby sofa and curtains, Mrs. Bjornson cried out to her two grandsons who were asleep in another room. One of the children ran through the smoke towards her. She rushed him outside and immediately returned for the other boy, but was forced to leave because of the toxic fumes. Despite the pleadings of bystanders, she re-entered the house on hands and knees, determined to rescue the remaining child. In response to her frantic calls, he suddenly appeared in the midst of the smoke and flames. Mrs. Bjornson grabbed him and managed to carry him outside shortly before the house was completely engulfed.