Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1988-04-05
Invested on: 1988-08-19
On the afternoon of February 11, 1987, firefighter Michel Larocque risked his life to rescue a woman and a four-year-old child trapped in a burning house in Hull, Quebec. While driving through the neighbourhood, Mr. Larocque noticed smoke coming from the front door of a house and immediately stopped to investigate. On being told that some persons were missing, he tried to enter the house through the front door but was forced back by the intense heat. He then ran around to the back of the house and was able to get inside. Although unable to see anything because of the thick smoke, he could hear a noise coming from a telephone receiver and thought that someone might be trying to call for help. He crouched down, crawled for about three metres, then saw a child standing with the telephone receiver in his hand. While holding the child with his right hand, Mr. Larocque felt around with his feet and his other hand in search of the second victim, and brushed against the body of an unconscious person. After carrying the child outside and leaving him in the care of bystanders, he re-entered the blazing house to rescue the other victim. Another man came to his assistance in carrying her to safety. Without the quick action and perseverance of Mr. Larocque, both victims would undoubtedly have died.