1936 — Feb 18, Home fire, overheated stove, South Hutchinson, KS — 7

–7  AP. “Seven Die in Kansas Blaze.” Evening Independent, Massillon, OH, 2-18-1936, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Feb 18: “Hutchinson, Kan., Feb. 18. (AP)–Seven persons, all members of one family, perished in a fire which destroyed their small home south of Hutchinson early today. The dead Frank E. Broyles, 36, salt plant employe; Mrs. Florence Broyles, 30, his wife; their five children, Michael 8; Carl 7; Helen, 5; Donald, 4; Glenn, 3. The house was a mass of flames when observed by Cecil Mesker, who chanced to be passing. Hutchinson firemen removed the bodies. Firemen said an explosion might have caused the blaze.” Associated Press. “Seven Die in Kansas Blaze.” Evening Independent, Massillon, OH, 2-18-1936, p. 1.)

Dec 30: “The biggest catastrophe of the year was the tragic fire in the Frank O. Broyles home in South Hutchinson last Feb. 18 when father, mother and five children were burned to death. On a frigid morning Broyles returned home from his place of employment at a local salt plant, built a hot fire in the stove and went to bed. Flames spread from the overheated stove and all members of the family perished as they slept in their beds.” (Hutchinson News, KS. “Violent Death is Met by 27. South Hutchinson Fire Big Tragedy of ’36.” 12-30-1936, p. 10.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Seven Die in Kansas Blaze.” Evening Independent, Massillon, OH, 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-independent-feb-18-1936-p-1/

Hutchinson News, KS. “Violent Death is Met by 27. South Hutchinson Fire Big Tragedy of ’36.” 12-30-1936, p. 10. Accessed 1-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-dec-30-1936-p-10/