1941 — Oct 28, home fire from dropped lighted kerosene heater, Montclair, NJ        —     12

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 9-23-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  12  AP. “12 Die in Fire, 7 Others Are Injured.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 10-29-1941, p1.

—  12  Quarterly of the NFPA.  “Fires in Which There Was Loss of Life.” V35/N3, Jan 1942, 286

Narrative Information

National Fire Protection Association: “October 28, 1941, Montclair, N.J. Twelve…ten children and two women, were burned to death when fire destroyed their three-story, two family frame home.  The fire started when two men accidentally dropped a lighted kerosene heater, showering the first floor living room and hallway with burning oil.  In addition to those who died, eight others were injured or burned in making their escape from the building.” (Quarterly of the NFPA.  “Fires in Which There Was Loss of Life.” V35/N3, Jan 1942, 286.)

Oct 30, Associated Press: “Montclair, N.J., Oct. 29 (AP) – An oil stove which exploded after it was dropped, turned a two-and-a-half-story frame building at 4 Walnut Place into a raging inferno last night, killing 12 members of a negro family and injuring at least seven other persons.

“Ten of the victims were children. Assistant County Medical Examiner George W. Olcott, Jr., said his examination showed that several were engulfed by flames while asleep in beds on the upper floors. Others were trapped while staggering toward windows.

“Fire Chief John Graham said a lighted stove being carried downstairs by Rudolph Durham, fell and exploded sending flames whipping through the house. The flames blocked doorways, leaving only windows as avenues of escape.” (Associated Press. “12 Die in Fire, 7 Others Are Injured.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 10-29-1941, p.1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “12 Die in Fire, 7 Others Are Injured.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 10-29-1941, p.1. Accessed 9-23-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-oct-29-1941-p-1/

National Fire Protection Association. “Fires in Which There was Loss of Life.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 35, No. 3, January 1942.