TEN CHILDREN, TWO ADULTS DIE IN HOUSE FIRE.

Milwawukee (AP) -- One of the worst fires in the city's history swept through an overcrowded two-story house in a poor neighborhood Wednesday, killing 10 children and two adults who were about to be evicted for failing to pay rent.
Eleven of the dead were found on the second floor, trapped there when flames destroyed the main staircase, officials said. The ages of the children ranged from 11 months to 8 years.
Three adults who escaped the fire also lived in the home, located on Milwaukee's North Side, official said.
"The children were so friendly," said DOTTIE BREWSTER, a neighbor who lived in an adjacent house which was damaged by the fire. "They were happy all the time."
Lt. CHARLES GRISHAM of the Milwaukee Police Department said the deaths appeared to be caused by smoke.
The fire, reported at 4:42 a.m., started in the first floor of the house, apparently in the kitchen, said JAMES RECHLITZ, a fire battalion chief. Investigators did not know the cause immediately, but tentatively ruled out arson.
"We had enough people but because of the intensity of the fire it took several minutes to knock it down before we could begin search and rescue operations," RECHLITZ said.
"We never expected to see this much fire in an occupied home," RECHLITZ said. "If it was a vacant building, that was one thing, but this was full of people."
The owner of the building, EMMETT ECHOLS, said the residents were about to be evicted because they were two months behind on their rent. The rental agreement, ECHOLS said, provided that four people were to live in the house. He said he learned there was more than that number after a workman doing renovations at the single-family, wood and brick home reported seeing several families inside.
"I didn't know they were all living there," ECHOLS said. "They had too many people living in the house. They should have never moved in."
ROSELLA RAMTHUN, the mother of one survivor, JILL SCHRECK, said her daughter was due in court Wednesday to fight the eviction notice, but the residents nonetheless were preparing to leave the house.
"They had everything packed. They were going to move," said RAMTHUN, who lives down the street from the house.
RAMTHUN said the residents complained about faulty wiring in the home, but ECHOLS said the electrical system was safe.

Gettysburg Times Pennsylvania 1987-10-01
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!