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News from February 14, 1924 (Buffalo Courier, via Newspapers.com™)
Farmhouse Fire Claims the Lives of 4 Children
On February 14, 1924, newspapers reported on an unforeseen tragedy that had occurred in Niles, Cayuga County, the day before. In the farmhouse of Benjamin Durnak, a fire broke out from an undetermined cause, claiming the lives of four children, Helen, Anna and John Durnak and Andrew Krisko, who were trapped on the upper floor.
News of this devastating incident reached Mrs. Mary Durnak, mother of the first three victims, while she was working in a nearby field. The alarm was raised by a neighbor, Mrs. John O’Brien, who saw smoke pouring from an upper window. Upon hearing the news, Mrs Durnak rushed back to the house in an attempt to save her children and young Andrew Krisko. However, the intensity of the flames prevented her from reaching the children.
Having failed to rescue her children, Mrs. Durnak suffered serious burns and was admitted to the Auburn City Hospital, where her condition was described as being serious. Meanwhile, the father of the three Durnak children, Benjamin, was on his way to Auburn with a load of hay, unaware of the catastrophe that had taken place at his house.
Learn more about February 14, 1924 through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.
Source Articles and Clippings
Tots Trapped on Upper Floor, Die in Flames; Mother Seriously Injured 14 Feb 1924, Thu Buffalo Courier (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com
Four Children Burn to Death 14 Feb 1924, Thu The Buffalo Times (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com