1961 — Sep 24, One-ton stake-body truck (carrying 21) overturns/burns, Jacksonville, FL-6 

–16 Bugbee. “Fire Protection Developments in 1961.” NFPA Quarterly. 55/3, Jan 1962, p. 229.
— 6 AP. “6 Die in Fire After Truck Overturns.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL. 9-25-1961, p. 4.
— 6 Cowart, John W. Heroes All: A History of Firefighting in Jacksonville, Florida. 2008, p. 137.
— 6 UPI. “Six Burn To Death In Florida Accident.” Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, TX. 9-25-1961, 10.

Narrative Information

Bugbee/ NFPA: “Thirteen lost their lives in Jacksonville, Fla., September 24, when a stake-body truck on which they were riding overturned and burst into flame.”

Cowart: “September 24, 1961 Six persons burned to death and another 10 suffered severe burns when a one ton stake-body truck overturned at Lee and Bay Streets. Leaking gasoline ignited causing an inferno.” (p. 137)

Newspaper

Sep 25, AP: “Jacksonville (AP) – Six…[African Americans], including four children, burned to death Sunday [Sep 24] when a truck turned over on its side and burst into flames in downtown Jacksonville. Ten others were taken to hospitals. Only one of the 17 persons riding the stake bed truck escaped without serious burns….Police Capt. R. A. Hurlbert said the truck made a left turn in front of the Jacksonville railroad terminal and overturned. The fire flared up so quickly there was no chance for the victims to escape it. A man, a woman and eight children were hospitalized. Hurlbert said the gasoline tank possibly was ignited by sparks as the truck skidded on its side.” (AP. “6 Die in Fire After Truck Overturns.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL. 9-25-1961, p. 4.)

Sources

Associated Press. “6 Die in Fire After Truck Overturns.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL. 9-25-1961, p. 4. Accessed 10-24-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sarasota-herald-tribune-sep-25-1961-p-4/

Bugbee, Percy. “Fire Protection Developments in 1961.” National Fire Protection Quarterly. Vol. 55, No. 3, January 1962, p. 229.

Cowart, John W. Heroes All: A History of Firefighting in Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville, FL: Bluefish Books, 2008. Accessed 10-24-2022 at: http://www.cowart.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EB%20Heroes%20All.pdf

United Press International. “Six Burn To Death In Florida Accident.” Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, TX. 9-25-1961, p. 10A. Accessed 10-24-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lubbock-avalanche-journal-sep-25-1961-p-10/