Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-28
VICTIMS OF FLAMES.
MISS PITTMAN AND HER MOTHER
BADLY BURNED LAST NIGHT.
THE FORMER PERHAPS FATALLY SO,
Explosion Of Lamp the Cause-Fire
Completely EnvcIoped the Young
Iady-Nrs. Pfttman Risked Her
Life TO Save Her Daughter.

The explosion Of kerosene-oil lamp in
the home Of Mrs. Cora J. Pittman, NO.
5241-2 south Pine street. shortly after
o'clock last night was attended By most
distressing consequences. Miss Mamie
the 22-year-old daughter Of Mrs. Pittman'
was very seriously, II not fatally, burned
and the mother sustained painful burns
about the hands and arms in trying 10
save the young lady.
The fire. while IT lasted but lew
minutes. created great excitement in that
section Of the city. and the most profound
sorrow goes out to the afflicted family.
Miss Pittman had been arranging her
toilet before a dresser, upon which was
a large lamp lighted. when suddenly the
lamp was either knocked over by her or
exploded without the slightest indication
beforehand. The young lady's garments
were saturated with the flying oil, ana
soon her petite figure looked more like a
sheet Of flame than anything else. Her
screams and those Of three small children
who were in the room in which the acci-
dent occurred, soon attracted the mother
and brother Of the young lady. MIS-
pittman rushed into the midst OF the
fire. which was then spreading rapidly
through the room. and with her hands
alone tried to extinguish the flames mat
surrounded her daughter. She worked
heroically. but soon found that this was
futile effort, and after having burhed
her hands and arms up 10 her shoulders
and her face badly also, the almost iran
tic mother gave place 10 her son, Mr. VIII
lam Pittman. who had the forethought 10
wrap the girl in a blanket. by this
means he soon smothered the fire.
DAMAGE BY THE FIRE.
In the mean time the alarm had been
turned in from the corner OF Spring and
Pine streets. and the department was
soon on hand. IL was the work OF only
q few minutes to put out the fire IN the
ROOM The flames had reached the bed-
ding and other furniture in the apart
ment. and had done about $50 Of damage
to il and 10 the house, which IS owned
| by Mr.. James Chalkley
Just as quickly as possible Mrs Pitt
man and her badly-injured daughter were
removed to the home Of Mrs. 5. B. Gri-
| ma1di. mother of Mrs. Pittman. who re-
| sides AT No. 62f China street, and mes
sengers were dispatched for physicians.
| Or. j. ". Henson. the family physician
/ could not be reached, and after waiting
10 hear from other doctors II was finally
| decided to summon the City Ambulance
| II responded promptly with DR.. Nuckois
| I'm charge. and DIR. Mccarthy also soon
reached the bedside Of the fair sufferer
| The uhvsicians realized that Miss Pitt
man had been very seriously burned
| More than half the skin on her body had
been almost burned to a crisp, and It IS
| generally thought by medical men that
| such cases are necessarily fatal The
girl was in fearful agony and had 10 be
| nut under opiates Everything pOss bile
| was done for both suffering women. Ihe
| accident had stirred up the entire neigh
/ borhoOd and hundreds went to offer aid
! TO the afflicted family.
AN ATTRACTIVE YOUNG LADY.
Miss Plttman is reported to be a very
| handsome and attractive young lady. she
is an active member of St. Andrew
| Episcopal church, a teacher in its sun
| day school and has for many years
shown a pronounced interest in church
| work. She is employed at Whitlock's fac
| tory, and has been a great source or help
| and comfort 10 her mothers family.
A very singular fact in connection with
the accident is the manner in which
| baby child of Mrs. Pittman was burned.
| This child. with two other little ones.
| were lying on a bed near by when the eX-
| plosion occurred, and they escaped un-
! hurt. save that the fire reached the big
| toe Of the one referred TO and burned the
| member quite painfully.