On March 22, 1993, Mr. Chaput tried repeatedly to rescue the occupants of a burning house in Toronto, Ontario. Smoke was billowing out of the house, engulfing a screaming woman in the doorway. As she ran back inside, Mr. Chaput followed, crawling below the smoke to bring her out. Realizing others were trapped inside, he re-entered. Overwhelmed by the smoke, and concerned for the safety of the woman who had again entered the house, Mr. Chaput led her outside once more. He then entered the house two more times, before finding an unconscious man whom he attempted to drag out through the smoke and flames. Unfortunately, Mr. Chaput had to abandon his efforts when the ceiling began to collapse. Mr. Chaput is an Aboriginal person of the Métis Nation.