Child Dies, Two Others Injured In Dwelling Blaze

On July 8, 1952 at 4:30 p.m. firemen were sent to a house fire at Shippensburg R. R. 2 (I do not know the exact location of the incident but the children attended the Chestnut Grove School). The blaze began when the girls tried to make fire in the stove in preparation for the evening meal. The fire was started with wet wood making it hard to keep burning, once a fire was started a five gallon can of oil was placed on top of the stove while the children went out to gather more wood. When they returned and lifted a lid on the hot stove flames leaped out causing the oil to explode. In a matter of seconds the room was ablaze along with the girls clothing. The 13 year old girl ran from the house for help. She was taken to a local Doctors office and later transferred to a hospital by the CV's ambulance. The young girl died from her burns, two other girls also received burns but were treated and released. By the time local firemen arrived the blaze had gained so much headway that nothing could be done to save the house. One firemen was injured battling the blaze. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm.