Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-05
7 Killed. 8 Hurt
In Fire at Home
For Aged, AiIing
Panicky Men. Women,
Children Jump From
Upper Floor Windows
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homicide squad room TO make
statements TO the prosecutor.
One of the deaths and most OF
the injuries were caused when the
AZ panic-Stricken or helpless resi-
dents either jumped o. fell from
upper stories 10 the ground.
RESCUED BY COUPLE
Most of those unhurt were res
cued from the blazing home by
the Martins. They rent rooms TO
recipients of old age pensions, well
fare clients, widows with children,
and those recovering from illness.
Killed when he jumped from a
third floor window was Charles j..
Hawkins, 80. Hawkins attempted
to Jump to the porch of an add
joining building but missed. His
skull was fractured and he died
shortly after admittance 10 Re-
ceiving Hospital.
Roland Blackwood. AZ, a third
floor resident. died by fire. His
body was found in the ruins of
his room.
Firemen carried seven persons
down on ladders, two jumped into
fire nets and three jumped out OF
windows.
LIST OF INJURED
Those injured:
Marion Craig, ID, who jumped
! from a room in a converted attic
and struck tree. A branch of the
tree pierced his arm and was re-
moved at the hospital. He also
suffered back and leg injuries.
Warren BlackWood,- 81. brother
of Roland, who suffered internal
and back injuries when he jumped
from the third floor.
Mrs. Flora Shier, 70, back and
chest injuries suffered when she
fell down a flight of stairs while
being assisted from the home.
Mrs. Jean Schotte, 38, lacerated
head and a fractured leg suffered
when she jumped from the third
floor to the roof of a one-story
garage.
Mrs. Agnes Miller, 70, overcome
by smoke.
Albert Schotte. Sc, burned ear.
John Brown, 81. overcome by
smoke.
Lowrel Swartout, u, slightly in
jured in jumping from the second
floor.
WARNED, POLICE SAY
Sgt. Edward Eggers of the police
arson squad said inspectors from
the fire marshal's office inspected
the home four months ago and
recommended to the city depart
ment of buildings and safety en-
gnieering that the basement of the
building be cleaned of fire hazards
and that second and outside exit
be built. Two exits are required
by law in all buildings over three
stories high.
"Our inspector visited the
property in December and re-
ported that the building was
only three stories high and that
there were two stairways in the
house." Otis V. May, acting chief
Inspector of the department Of
buildings and safety engineering.
INVESTIGATION ON
1--WE are investigating now to
find out when the fourth floor
or the building was converted To
roms. When our inspector Wis.,
tied the place, IL was a rOoming
house and the attic WAS not In
use"
May said that the Martins had
never been issued a permit by his
department to convert the house
into a convalescent home.
The fire broke out on the third
[ floor of the home at sos a. m.
Its cause is not determined. 1t
spread rapidly TO the converted
attic and to the roof.
Ezra M. Ross, AZ, who lives at
l01 Eliot street, said he awakened
TO hear the voice Of an old man
crying for help.
Mrs. Emma Selska, 81, and her
husband. Emil. 60, were taken
down on a ladder by firemen.
Irwin r. Swan 70. gave credit
10 a small chow dog named Chin
for awakening him. He made his
own way TO safety.
Others who made their way 10
safety were Mrs. Beatrice Broome,
80. and her daughter, Pearl, ID.
They in turn brought out three
other children, Margaret Alger, 8;
Dolores Algcr 4. and Diane Alger,
=. The mother, Mrs. Leah Alger,
assisted.
/ Also helped to safety were Mrs.
/ Phyllis Luoma, Is, and her four
children, Lorraine. 10; Roger, z;
Janet, 6, and Patsy, /.
II THIS WEEK ONLYI /