Blindly, he secured his mask over his face, drawing in several deep breaths before plunging farther in.
He dropped to his hands and knees and crawled until his hand hit something soft. It almost seemed lifeless.
He radioed ahead that he found someone. “Get out now,” crackled back. He argued that he could get him out.
Silence. Then, simply, “Your call.”
The fire tore at his back, knifing through his coat. He covered the small body with his own as he crawled out.
The fire only claimed one life that day.