1959 — Jan 5, Fire, residential, coal-burning stove, Winstonville, Bolivar County, MS– 6
–6 Hattiesburg American, MS. “Six Burn to Death.” 1-6-1959, p. 11.
–6 NFPA. “Large Loss of Life Fires of 1959,” NFPA Quarterly, July 1960, p. 12.
Narrative Information
NFPA:
“Dwelling of Nora Smith
“Winstonville, Miss., Jan. 5., 9:00 P.M.
“6 Killed: 1 Adult, 5 Children
“A mother poured kerosene on a kitchen coal-burning stove. Shortly thereafter, about 9:00 P.M., the stove exploded, spreading fire quickly through the one-story, frame dwelling. The 35-year-old mother was killed along with four of her children (14, 9, 8 and 5), and a grandchild, aged three. Two other children escaped but no explanation is available on how they were able to reach safety.” (NFPA. “Large Loss of Life Fires of 1959,” NFPA Quarterly, July 1960, p. 12.)
Jan 5: “Mound Bayou, Miss. (AP) – A Negro mother and five children burned to death around midnight last night in a fire which destroyed their home in the nearby small town of Winstonville. Two other children who escaped the blaze said the fire was caused by explosion of a coal heater as the mother poured kerosene to start a fire. The woman was separated from her husband.” (Hattiesburg American, MS. “Six Burn to Death.” 1-6-1959, p. 11.
Sources:
Hattiesburg American, MS. “Six Burn to Death.” 1-6-1959, p. 11. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=185141556&sterm
National Fire Protection Association. “Large Loss of Life Fires of 1959.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 53, July 1960, pp. 7-38.