BRANDON BABY DIES OF BURNS
Three year old Scott Rathwell, badly burned when a turpentine fire flashed throug the kitchen of his parents home in Brandon late Tuesday morning, died at the general hospital Tuesday evening.
His mother, Mrs. Frances (Gunson) Rathwell who also suffered burns, was reported in poor condition in hospital Tuesday evening.
Fire department officials have speculated that a can of turpentine spilled on a heated burner on the range in the Rathwell kitchen was the source of the flames which enveloped the young mother and her son.
A four year old daughter, Wendy, escaped the fire and ran to the home of Mrs. Myrtle Cook next door to summon help. She told Mrs. Cook "a light exploded."
Mrs. Cook found Mrs. Rathwell and the boy in the living room of the home. The searing flames had burned off most of their clothing and gone out before help arrived.
Mr. Rathwell was at work.
Fire department investigators found an empty turpentine container on the counter beside the range, and signs of a mother's frantic efforts to save her son and herself.
Scott died Tuesday p.m. and his mother the next morning.
Mrs. Ray Rathwell (Frances Gunson) was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gunson of Crandall. The day of the tragedy was her 27th birthday. She attended schools in Crandall, graduating with a class of eleven in June 1950. She then trained as a nurse in Brandon general Hospital.