Lancaster, New York 1932

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

July 7, 1937

Trapped in Flaming Straw, Child, 5, Dies

Fireman find body of Lancaster girl under porch of home

Trapped in a stack of flaming straw beneath the back porch of her home, late yesterday afternoon, a five-year-old Lancaster girl was burned fatally. She died in Emergency Hospital at: 9,15 p., m.

The Victim was Geraldine Arcese daughter of Mrs. Mary and Joseph Arcese, 164 Sawyer Avenue, Village of Lancaster. Lancaster police said the child apparently crawled beneath the porch, ignited the straw and was trapped by the flames.

The girl was rushed to Emergency Hospital in an ambulance. Hospital physicians said she was burned from head to foot.

Not until the blaze was extinguished was the girl found. The fire was discovered by a neighbor, Mrs. Samuel Larifo, 158 Sawyer Avenue, who called John Devince of 143 Sawyer Avenue. They put out the blaze.

Meanwhile the fire department was summoned. In digging out the straw beneath the porch, Fire Chief Bolander discovered the unconscious form of the child.

Ten minutes before the accident occurred the victim was playing in front of her house with her sister, Dolly, thirteen, who then left to go to a nearby grocery, Mr. Arcese was asleep at the time, Mrs. Arcese and another daughter, Helen, Are out of town visiting relatives,