Around midnight on January 19, 1990, Mr. Potrasal saved the lives of six young girls in a detention centre for adolescents in Laval. He was the guard on duty when a fire broke out in the cell area, causing an electrical failure. Working in the dark, surrounded by intense heat and toxic fumes, and using only his body, Mr. Potrasal succeeded in breaking down the doors of three rooms. He had to make a number of trips, but through his courage and determination the six young girls were evacuated safely.