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He earned a Carnegie Medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for this brave and courageous act.
Schaus rescued Fitzgerald on Feb. 27 from his ground-floor apartment, the commission notes, adding that "flames erupted in the unit and filled it with dense smoke"
Schaus, 52, was serving as the building's superintendent and was informed about the fire, the commission adds. He tried, unsuccessfully, to unlock the door to the apartment before kicking it in, the commission notes.
The commission recalls that Schaus, who was repulsed by the smoke, yelled and heard Fitzgerald groan. Schaus re-entered the apartment and crawled through before seeing Fitzgerald lying on a bed, the commission adds.
The commission recalls that Schaus was able to successfully drag Fitzgerald out of the apartment - he was temporarily halted by an ottoman in his way, which he threw - and put out flames on his body and cloth.
Fitzgerald succumbed to his injuries the day after being hospitalized, the commission recalls. Schaus was given hospital treatment due to smoke inhalation, the commission adds, and subsequently recovered.
Schaus was among 19 recipients of the medal, according to the commission.
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