Washington County News | 1944-04-06 | Page 1 | Use of Kerosene in Starting Fire Causes Death of Couple

Use of Kerosene In Starting Fire Causes Death of Couple BUNKER VILLE, Nev. The use of kerosene for starting a stove fire was blamed for the tragic death last week of Mr. and Mrs. Odell Leavitt, former Mesquite residents, who moved to Idaho. According to reports, Mrs. Leavitt Leav-itt was quilting and had her two sisters who were visiting, at her home, helping her with the quilt. While they were resting from quilting, Mrs. Leavitt took a can of kerosene to relight the fire in the heater. The kerosene burst into flames when it contacted the hot coals, igniting her clothing and the quilt, which was on the frames near the heater and made her escape from the room impossible. im-possible. Her sister, called Mr. Leavitt, who was in the yard nearby' working on a tractor. He broke into the flaming room to rescue his wife and the frame building burned so rapidly he was also unable to escape, both man and wife dying in the burning building. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leavitt, parents of the deceased man, and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Hardy left for Idaho on receipt of word of the fatal accident.