 That same evening , a large crowd gathers in the park to hear a band play . Suddenly , the nearby factory whistle blows to alert the townspeople of a fire in the second district of the town ; men gather hose @-@ carts and head toward the blaze that is quickly spreading throughout Dr. Trescott 's house . Mrs. Trescott is saved by a neighbor , but cannot locate Jimmie , who is trapped inside . Henry appears from the crowd and rushes into the house in search of the boy , finding him unharmed in his bedroom . Unable to retreat the way he came , Henry carries Jimmie , wrapped in a blanket , to the doctor 's laboratory and the hidden stairway that leads outside . He discovers the fire has blocked this way out as well and collapses beside Dr. Trescott 's desk . A row of nearby jars shatters from the heat , spilling molten chemicals upon Henry 's upturned face . 
