Milltown, NJ House Fire, Sept 1898

WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.

The Third Fatal Accident in One Family in a Year.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., Sept. 11.--Mrs. Caroline Gerlach, thirty-five years old, of Milltown, was burned to death this morning at her home. She was engaged in starting the fire, and because it did not burn to suit her she used kerosene. The blaze communicated to the oil in the can and the can exploded. Mrs. Gerlach was almost instantly enveloped in flame from head to foot. Her husband sought to put out the flames, but the woman was burned so badly she died within an hour. Her husband sustained painful burns in the effort to save her.

This is the third tragic death in Mr. Gerlach's family within a year. A little less than a year ago his son Willie, eleven years old, was knocked down and injured by a runaway. The injured boy was carried home, but died less than two hours after being hurt. About six months ago Mr. Gerlach's little girl, Annie, seven years old, was playing about a bonfire, when her clothing took fire and she was burned to death.

The New York Times, New York, NY 12 Sept 1898

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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!