From the VALLEY DAILY NEWS, Tarentum, PA, Thursday, 8 January 1953, pp. 1 and 10:
FAMILY LOSES ALL AS GILPIN HOUSE BURNS
A Gilpin Township family of six lost everything they owned late yesterday afternoon when their home was destroyed by fire. Another small home near Martin's Garage in Bethel Township burned down early today.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Gamble, of Bagdad, their three children and a school girl friend of the family were homeless following yesterday afternoon's fire.
Their six-room frame house burned to the ground before members of the Gilpin Township fire department arrived at the scene.
TELEPHONE LINE BUSY
Mrs. Gamble, who was alone in the home when fire broke out, was unable to get a telephone line to report the fire and finally had to run more than a mile to a home where the telephone line was free.
Fire Chief Art McConville, of Gilpin Township, said that when firemen arrived three-quarters of the house was in flames.
He said the fire apparently started in the kitchen and added that he believes it was caused by "defective wiring."
Chief McConville could not estimate damages but neighbors said they believed the figure, including damages to furnishings and clothing, would amount to $5,000.
Nothing was saved.
STAYING WITH BROTHER
Members of the family now are staying with a brother of Mr. Gamble who lives nearby, neighbors said.
The Gambles were in the process of buying their home, a mine company dwelling, from the Hicks Coal Co., Leechburg. Also lost in the fire was a metal box containing $200 which the family had planned to pay on the house.
Mrs. Gamble said she had been working in the kitchen and had gone to the living room to make a telephone call. Shortly afterwards she heard a "crackling sound" coming from the kitchen and when she returned the room was aflame.
She tried to call the fire department from her own home but couldn't get the line. She then tried at homes nearby but the telephone lines also were busy. She finally got the alarm turned in after going more than a mile to find a free line.
FAMILY LOSES ALL AS GILPIN HOUSE BURNS
A Gilpin Township family of six lost everything they owned late yesterday afternoon when their home was destroyed by fire. Another small home near Martin's Garage in Bethel Township burned down early today.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Gamble, of Bagdad, their three children and a school girl friend of the family were homeless following yesterday afternoon's fire.
Their six-room frame house burned to the ground before members of the Gilpin Township fire department arrived at the scene.
TELEPHONE LINE BUSY
Mrs. Gamble, who was alone in the home when fire broke out, was unable to get a telephone line to report the fire and finally had to run more than a mile to a home where the telephone line was free.
Fire Chief Art McConville, of Gilpin Township, said that when firemen arrived three-quarters of the house was in flames.
He said the fire apparently started in the kitchen and added that he believes it was caused by "defective wiring."
Chief McConville could not estimate damages but neighbors said they believed the figure, including damages to furnishings and clothing, would amount to $5,000.
Nothing was saved.
STAYING WITH BROTHER
Members of the family now are staying with a brother of Mr. Gamble who lives nearby, neighbors said.
The Gambles were in the process of buying their home, a mine company dwelling, from the Hicks Coal Co., Leechburg. Also lost in the fire was a metal box containing $200 which the family had planned to pay on the house.
Mrs. Gamble said she had been working in the kitchen and had gone to the living room to make a telephone call. Shortly afterwards she heard a "crackling sound" coming from the kitchen and when she returned the room was aflame.
She tried to call the fire department from her own home but couldn't get the line. She then tried at homes nearby but the telephone lines also were busy. She finally got the alarm turned in after going more than a mile to find a free line.
