Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 29, 1986
• Invested on: December 05, 1986

Firefighter Keith Douglas Clifford, M.B.
Firefighter David Maxwell Cranswick, M.B.
Firefighter Melvin Edward Slevan, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

The fire was well advanced when Toronto Firefighters Keith Clifford, David Cranswick and Melvin Slevan arrived at the scene just after midnight on 12 November 1984. Informed that two children were trapped inside, the rescuers battled blinding smoke and flames and, despite extreme heat, rushed to the upper floor. Disregarding the danger of an explosion, Firefighter Clifford crawled into the blazing front room in search of the children while Firefighters Cranswick and Slevan located the unconscious victims lying on the floor in the back bedroom. Hot gases erupted in the front room where Firefighter Clifford was still searching and sent a ball of flames through the second floor catching Firefighters Cranswick and Slevan as they exited with the victims. Firefighter Slevan ran down carrying the young boy. Although Firefighter Cranswick slipped and fell down the stairs, he cradled the child on his chest and succeeded in carrying the little girl out of the house. Firefighter Clifford got out of the inferno only upon learning that the children had been rescued.