1948 — March 23, Fire, Ward’s Rest/Convalescent Home for elderly, north Omaha, NE– 8
–8 Associated Press. “8th Fire Victim.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 3-28-1918, p. 8.
–8 NFPA. “Multiple-Death Fires in Nursing Homes & Homes for the Aged, 1921-1978 (list).”
Narrative Information
March 23: “Omaha, March 23 (AP) — Fire swept through a rest home here early today taking the lives of five elderly persons. The spokesman said ages and addresses of the victims were not immediately available. Identification was handicapped because the casualties were all in night clothes. Seven other persons were also hospitalized, part of them in critical condition.
“Firemen said the fire apparently began in a small ante-room on the first floor and scorched several rooms on that floor before sweeping up the staircase.” (Associated Press. “Five Persons Are Victims of Blaze.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 3-23-1948, p. 2.)
March 23: “Omaha, March 23 (AP) — Five persons died in a fire which swept through an old people’s rest home here early today. Three others were critically hurt, and four were in less serious condition. Several escaped by kicking out windows in the two-story structure.
“The dead: Rudolph G. Bierman, 92;[1] Frank H. Welty, 87; Eugene Sullivan, 74;[2] Harry Wacker,[3] 76; and Thomas G. Ward, 50, owner of the rest home. The critically injured were Thomas M. Bell, 85; William A. King, 74; Mrs. Thomas G. Ward, 55.
“Fire Chief Ben Meister and Ed Hayduk, arson squad head, said it seemed as if there may have been two or three separate blazes. They began in investigation.
“Known as Ward’s Rest Home, the structure in north Omaha is a remodeled former private home.
“The main fire apparently began in a small anteroom off the first-floor entrance, firemen said. The fire scorched several first-floor rooms and swept upstairs.” (Associated Press. “5 Die in Omaha Rest Home Blaze.” Creston News Advertiser, IA, 3-23-1948, p. 1.)
March 24: “Omaha, Neb. — (AP) — The sixth victim of Tuesday’s rest home fire here died early Wednesday. She was Mrs. Katherine Ward, 55, wife of the owner of the home….Two elderly men were still in critical condition Wednesday with injuries received in the fire.
“Meanwhile, Arson Squad Head Edward Hayduk said the fire may have started in an upholstered chair on the first floor. He said investigators believe the flames swept into the upper part of the convalescent home when doors upstairs were opened.” (Associated Press. “Sixth Victim Dies in Rest Home Fire.” Waterloo Daily Courier, IA, 3-24-1948, p. 2,)
March 25: “The Omaha rest home in which six persons lost their lives as result of a fire was crowded beyond the limits of its license, the United Press said. State Assistance Director Neil Vandemoer told the news service Wednesday [March 24] that the home was licensed to house eight persons. At the time of the fire Tuesday morning, it contained ten patients, as well as the two operators. ‘If the home contained more than eight persons, it was in violation of its license to house old age clients,’ Vandemoer said. The home was approved, he said, after being inspected to ascertain the maximum number of persons it could contain and meet health regulations. Some homes in the state have been closed for permitting over-crowded conditions, Vandemoer said.” (Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. “Rest Home Where Fatal Blaze Occurred Crowded Over Permit.” 3-25-1948, p. 18.)
March 27: “Omaha, March 27 (AP) — Thomas M. Bell, 85, of Omaha, died in a hospital here last night, boosting to eight the deaths resulting from a fire at the ward rest home her last Tuesday. It set a new record death toll for Omaha fires. Seven firemen lost their lives when fire destroyed the Millard Hotel Feb. 8, 1933.” (Associated Press. “8th Fire Victim.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 3-28-1918, p. 8.)
Sources
Associated Press. “5 Die in Omaha Rest Home Blaze.” Creston News Advertiser, IA, 3-23-1948, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/creston-news-advertiser-mar-23-1948-p-1/?tag
Associated Press. “8th Fire Victim.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 3-28-1918, p. 8.
Associated Press. “Five Lives Lost in Rest-Home Fire.” Billings Gazette, MT, 3-24-1948, p. 6. Accessed 7-2-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/billings-gazette-mar-24-1948-p-6/?tag
Associated Press. “Five Persons Are Victims of Blaze.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 3-23-1948, p. 2. Accessed 7-2-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-mar-23-1948-p-2/?tag
Associated Press. “Sixth Victim Dies in Rest Home Fire.” Waterloo Daily Courier, IA, 3-24-1948, p. 2. Accessed 7-2-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waterloo-daily-courier-mar-24-1948-p-2/?tag
Creston News Advertiser, IA. “Former Resident is Omaha Fire Victim.” 3-26-1948, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/creston-news-advertiser-mar-26-1948-p-1/?tag
Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. “Rest Home Where Fatal Blaze Occurred Crowded Over Permit.” 3-25-1948, p. 18. Accessed 7-2-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-mar-25-1948-p-18/?tag
National Fire Protection Association. “Multiple-Death Fires in Nursing Homes & Homes for the Aged, 1921-1978 (list).” In: United States United States Congress, House of Representatives. Boarding Home Fires: The Tip of the Iceberg (Hearing before the Subcommittee on Health and Long Term Care, Select Committee on Aging, 96th Congress, First Session, April 25, 1979). Washington, DC, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1979, pp. 312-314.
[1] Another account has last name as Burman. AP. “Five Lives Lost in…Fire.” Billings Gazette, MT, 3-24-1948, p. 6.
[2] Age noted elsewhere as 75. Creston News Advertiser, IA. “Former Resident is Omaha Fire Victim.” 3-26-1948, p1.
[3] Or Wackter. (AP. “Five Lives Lost in Rest-Home Fire.” Billings Gazette, MT, 3-24-1948, p. 6.)