Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-21
MAY BE FATALLY
INJURED IN FLAMES
GASOLINE STOVE EXPL0DES,
SCATTERING OIL ABOUT
Neishbor Who Extinguished Blazing
Clothes of Victims Also Burned,
but Is Not Seriously
Hurt

j. j. Haskell, 40 years old, a street
sweeper living at 1888 Decatur street.
probably was burned fatally and B.
Mathew street, was burned painfully
about the arms and hands shortly after
/ o'clock yesterday afternoon in fire
that demolished the one-story frame
building at 1719 Atlantic street, and
partly demolished the adjoining build
ings at 1717 Atlantic street and 1888
Decatur street. rendering homeless
twenty-five persons.
The fire originated in the kitchen of
the house at 1919 Atlantic street, which
is occupied by John Crowell, an aged
soldier, and was due to the explosion
of a gasoline stove, which scattered
burning oil about the room and set
fire to the place.
CrowelI was in a front room at the
time of the explosion and after calling
to the neighbors that the place was
ablaze disappeared. Haskell rushed
into the. building and selling the blaz-
ing stove carried it to a doorway and
attempted to hurl it into the street.
He failed to throw the stove clear of
the opening and it struck the side of
the door and rebounded at his feet,
scattering the blazing oil on Haskell,
who already was burned on the arms.
The unfortunate man then jumped
over the stove and ran into the street
with his clothing ablaze.
Bartola, who had just appeared, ran
to the assistance of Haskell and beat
out the burning clothing, and was Sc
verely burned on both hands and arms.
Alarm Turned In
In the meantime an alarm had been
turned in and the apparatus soon ar
rived, but not until the building at
1719 Atlantic street was almost in ruins.
The firemen succeeded in eXtinguishing
the blaze and preventing the flames
from consuming the adjoining build
ings.
Haskell and Bartola were taken to
the receiving hospital, where the po-
lice surgeons pronounced the condition
of the former to be critical. Haskell
was burned about the entire face, both
hands and arms and on the body. After
his burns had been swathed in oiled
bandages he was removed to the coun-
ty hospital.
Before the fire was extinguished it
was rumored that Crowell had not
been seen since the blaze started and
was beneath the charred timbers. The
firemen could find no trace Of him, and
after the fire was out a search of the
debris was made, but there was no
indication that he had persisted. Later
several persons in the neighborhood
stated that Crowell had left the build
ing when the fire started and had
gone down the street.
The building where the fire origin
ated and the two adjoining structures
were of the toughest material and are
nothing more than shacks. The oc-
cupants are cholos and the dwelling at
1888 Decatur street was occupied by
more than half a dozen families.
Great excitement prevailed when the
fire broke out and most of the people
succeeded in saving their household
effects, which were piled on aenearby
vacant lot.
The refugees presented a picturesque
appearance seated among their belong
ings, which ranged from pet rabbits
and cats to the upto-date photograph.
The loss on the buildings, which are
owned by ]. C. Bright of 1107 West
Eleventh street, is estimated at $500
and the damage to the contents will
not exceed $500.