Three Children Escape as Fire Destroys a Snohomish Home
A pre-dawn fire consumed Mrs. Crane's house before anyone could stop it; the three children inside got out with only their clothes, and neighbors quickly organized aid.
Snohomish, April 27 — Special. Early this morning the house occupied by Mrs. Crane caught fire in an unknown manner and was burned to the ground. The fire was well advanced before it was discovered. The only parties in the house were three children, who escaped with their clothing. A subscription was raised today to assist Mrs. Crane in restoring her household goods.
“A subscription was raised today to assist Mrs. Crane in restoring her household goods.”
Before fire departments and insurance were universal, a house fire could wipe out a family's entire material life. The quick subscription for Mrs. Crane shows the mutual-aid networks that filled the gap — a reminder that disaster relief has long begun with neighbors.
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