Doc and Kitty jumped back as the flames licked at them. If it wasn't for the balcony they would have perished. Doc quickly pushed the large table onto it's side trying to block the intense heat and flames. Both he and Kitty could see, through the shimmer of the flames, people trying to get to them.

Matt, Newly and Sam pushed their way into the crowd. "Sam, where's Kitty!"

"She and Doc were at the back... They were there when I came out to look at the fireworks and then the whole thing fell in..." Sam was clearly upset.

The Dodge volunteer fire team was activated and the meanwhile, men and women formed bucket brigade to try and douse the fire.

Festus arrived on the scene. "Matthew? What in tarnation happened?"

Matt couldn't answer Festus' question. "Kitty and Doc are in there..."

Festus felt a lump form in his throat. "Let's try the back entrance." he squeaked out.

Within minutes the fire team arrived with their hand pump tanker and quickly disbursed into the saloon.

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Kitty tried the window. "Doc! It's stuck!" She was starting to panic as the smoke filled the room.

"Here, honey..." He pulled her behind him as he picked up a chair and heaved it through the window. Unfortunately the sudden rush of fresh air not only fuelled the fire, it caused smoke and ashes to fly up into Doc's face. He groaned and clutched his eyes.

"Doc!" Kitty grabbed his shoulders. "Are you okay?"

He moaned more. "Smoke and soot in my eyes...I can't open them..." was all he could utter.

Kitty quickly looked around and then carefully stepped out the window, then reached back to assist her dear friend. The smoke was intensifying and they sputtered and coughed trying to get fresh air. "That's it Doc..." she said as he poked one leg and then the other through the window. The ground seemed miles away.

Once Doc had cleared the window, Kitty covered her mouth with part of her skirt and guided Doc out into the alley. She, herself could only go so far before smoke over came her. They both collapsed gasping for air. She on her knees and Doc rolled flat out on his back. Doc was worse off as he wanted desperately to rub his stinging eyes. It seemed with every cough, his whole body shook.

Kitty rubbed her hand over Doc's chest to soothe the coughing. "You gonna be all right Doc?" Her voice seemed gravely.

Doc nodded slightly and had another coughing fit. "Once I can breathe again..." his sense of humour was slightly off, but to the point.