grand-children, Oxford PA–12

lornajarrettblanchard March 8, 1956

–12 AP. “Blaze Kills 12 of Family Asleep in Tar-Paper Shack.” Berkshire Eagle, MA. 3-9-1956, 1.
–12 AP. “Overheated Stove Caused Fire Tragedy.” Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 3-10-1956, 1.

Narrative Information

March 9, AP: “Oxford, Pa. (AP) – Twelve members of one family died last night in a fire that destroyed their two-room tar-papered home in this rural southeastern Pennsylvania community. An investigator said today ‘it looks like it could be foul play but we’re not certain.’ Deputy Coroner Ernest Schneider of Chester County, said a thorough investigation would be made in cooperation with State Police and fire officials.

“The victims of the blaze were identified tentatively as the wife, children and grandchildren of John Twyman, a 36-year-old truck driver and a long-time resident of the ‘bottoms’ section of Oxford. Twyman, police said, appeared at the scene of the blaze as the last of the bodies of the family were being recovered from the 20×30-foot home. Patrolman Claude Swift said Twyman was shocked into mumbling incoherency but told him he had just returned from Baltimore. Firemen were looking for Twyman’s body when he appeared.

“Fire Marshall Robert Brown said the victims apparently asleep when the blaze started ‘didn’t stand a chance.’ Brown identified them tentatively as: Mrs. Catherine Twyman, 35, whom he said was pregnant; and these Twyman children – Eleanor 20, Claudette 16, John Twyman Jr. 14, Josephine 12, Stephen 9, Dorris 7, Lewis 5, Janet 3, Joseph 8 months; and Eleanor’s children – Andrew 2, and Harriet 16 months.

“He [Fire Marshall] said the home was heated by both a coal and wood stove and by a kerosene heater. ‘We can only assume that one of the two heaters either exploded or became overheated and set fire to the home,’ he said.

“Hershel Twyman, John’s brother and neighbor, told investigators he saw the adjoining structure ablaze. He said he tried to open each of its four windows and the door but was driven back by intense heat.” (Associated Press. “Blaze Kills 12 of Family Asleep in Tar-Paper Shack.” Berkshire Eagle, MA. 3-9-1956, p.1.)

March 10, AP: “Oxford (AP) – a fire which killed 12 members of a single family Thursday night was caused by an overheated stove, or possibly an explosion. Authorities came up with that conclusion yesterday after discarding the possibility that foul play was involved….” (Assoc. Press. “Overheated Stove Caused Fire Tragedy.” Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 3-10-1956, p.1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Blaze Kills 12 of Family Asleep in Tar-Paper Shack.” Berkshire Eagle, MA. 3-9-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-25-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/berkshire-eagle-mar-09-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Overheated Stove Caused Fire Tragedy.” Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 3-10-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waynesboro-record-herald-mar-10-1956-p-1/