MOTHER'S FEARFUL END.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 46, 17 January 1913, Page 8

MOTHER'S FEARFUL END.

KEROSENE STOVE EXPLODES

A burning accident, as the result of which a married woman was burnt to death, and her two children injured, occurred at Dulwich this morning (stated an Adelaide telegram to the 'Sydney Daily Telegraph' on Docen)' ber 31).

Mrs Matilda Russell, the wife o' Mr H. Russell, a leadlight worker rose at 8.40 o clock. While still in night attire she proceeded to the kitchen to light a kerosene stovo, with tho object of preparing a cup of tea. She was accompanied by one of her sons, Leslie Aid ridge Russell, aged 14 vears, 'who statea that his mother had lit the stove, using, as is customary, a small quantity of methylated spirits. The stove, however, did not seem to be in proper working order, and she remarked that the nipple through which tho air passes appeared to be blocked. He thought she started Co pump the kerosene, and force gas through, with the result that a terrific explosion followed. In a second his mother was enveloped in flames. The boy, too, found his clothes alight, and, rushing into the passage, he seized a blanket and rolled himself m> it to extinguish the flame' Then lie ran, jumped through a window, and pulled two of his younger brothers out of bed, fearing that the> .night be unable to escape and be burnt. Mr Russell, aroused by terrified screams, sprang out of bed and rushed to the kitchen, which he found full of sniioke, and burning furiously. He was not aware that his wife was in the room, and it was not until he had procured a hose and partially extinguished the flames that he was horrified to find Mrs Russell burnt to death on the floor where she had faljen. The body was so terribly charred as to be almost unrecognisable. Leslie Russell's injuries consisted of severe burns on the right arm, and a younger brother, Clifford A. Russell, aged seven years, was also burnt slightly. Mrs Russell was 46 years of age, and left a family of eight children.