House Near Oakville Damaged By Fire

On April 17, 1935 at 2:20 a.m. the Calvin Cramer family awoke to find a fire in their farmhouse situated near Oakville. A strong wind fanned a stray spark in the stove that caused a chimney fire extending to the home. When the occupant awoke he attempted to call for help but the phone was located in the kitchen which was already ablaze. The occupant suffered burns to his hands when he picked up the receiver to call for help, he also suffered burns to the feet exiting the home. Neighbors awoke to exploding shell and assisted the occupants in removing furniture while Mr. Cramer drove to a nearby residence to summon help. The rural pumper received the alarm at about 3 a.m. and arrived in time to keep the blaze contained to the western portion of the house. The house suffered considerable fire damage and most of the contents were destroyed. Damages were estimated at $2,000. The news paper did not specify which rural pumper was summoned so this call could have been answered by the Vigilant or Newville. At 11:00 a.m. the Vigilant's extinguished a chimney fire at the Dan Suders residence, no damage was reported.