Bio: Burchell, Mr. & Mrs. John (Lose all in fire - 1948)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Burchell, Laffe

----Source: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.)  03/20/1948

Burchell, Mr. & Mrs. John (Lose all in fire - MAR 1948)

Fire, caused it is supposed by the explosion of an oil burner, destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Burchell, located on an outlot adjoining the east side of the village last Thursday night.  Mr. Burchell, who is employed as engineer on a government project near Columbus, Ohio, was home for a short vacation.  About 11:00 o’clock, soon after retiring, he was awakened by smoke.  Upon opening the bedroom door he found the living room a mass of roaring fire.  There was no opportunity to save anything in the house.  He and Mrs. Burchell, both painfully burned and cut by broken glass, escaped through the bedroom window, with only their night clothing.  They were taken to the home of Louis Laffe for care.  Neighbors, and the Alma Center fire company were soon fighting the fire, but the house and all of its contents were a complete loss.  The property was purchased by Mr. Burchell, upon their return from Florida several years ago and had been remodeled into a comfortable home.  Last Fall it was wired for service by the rural electric line.  Quite a sum of money, which was in the house, was lost with the home.  Paul, only one of the sons, who was at home, had attended the movie that night, and had not returned when the fire started.  The loss is estimated at $6,000.  There was no insurance.