On January 29, 2000, Maynard Joe pulled a neighbour from his burning home in the Shackan First Nations Community, near Merritt, British Columbia. Seeing the front of his neighbour's house engulfed in flames, Mr. Joe raced to the back and opened the door, releasing a blast of smoke and heat. Undeterred, he crawled some three metres inside, feeling his way through heavy black smoke until he found the man on the hallway floor. With complete disregard for his own safety, Mr. Joe grabbed hold of the severely-injured victim and dragged him outside. Regrettably, despite Mr. Joe's efforts, the victim died the following day.