Pike County AlArchives Obituaries.....Dodson, Sara Elizabeth November 1938
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Candace (Teal) Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net March 10, 2007, 9:26 am

"The Cleburne News"
Heflin, Cleburne Co., Alabama

NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, NOVEMBER 24, 1938

MRS. DODSON AND DAUGHTER RECEIVE BURNS THURSDAY

Troy, Ala., Nov. 18

Mrs. Marvin N. Dodson and daughter Elizabeth are in a local hospital 
suffering from severe burns received about nine o'clock Thursday night when 
their clothing became ignited following an explosion, supposedly caused from 
an accumulation of gas in the basement of their home on Pine street.

Mrs. Dodson had gone into the basement to determine why the hot water system 
was not functioning, struck a match, and the exposion followed. The 
accumulation of the gas in the basement was caused, it is thought, from the 
fact that gas had been temporarily shut off from the main and when turned on 
again, gas accumulated in the basement through an open jet attached to an 
automatic burner control, for several hours, undetected by odor or 
otherwise.

Mrs. Dodson was followed into the basement by Elizabeth, 8 years of age, who 
was already in her sleeping wear. Flames resulting from the explosion set 
fire to the child's clothing, searing her entire body. Mrs. Dodson, shocked 
from the side affects of the explosion, was severely burned about the arms 
and hands in an effort to extinguish the flames, which spread to a box 
containing toys and other inflammable articles. From contact with the 
burning box and the child's clothing, Mrs. Dodson also received burns on the 
lower limbs.

Mr. and Mrs. Travis Sellers, who have an apartment in the Dodson home, went 
to Mrs. Dodson's rescue and hurried Elizabeth to the hospital, Mrs. Dodson 
following minutes later after she had called the Fire Department. Mr. Dodson 
was attending an annual barbecue supper of the American Legion at their Club 
house on Montgomery Highway, at the time.

BLAST VICTIM BURIED SUNDAY AT TROY

Troy, Ala. Nov. 20

Funeral services for Sara Elizabeth Dodson, 8 year old daughter of M. N. 
Dodson, editor and publisher of the Troy Messenger, who died late Saturday 
of burns suffered in an explosion which occurred as her mother attempted to 
light gas water heater, were held Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Dodson was severely 
burned herself when she attempted to extinguish the flames that enveloped 
the child after the explosion, which occurred Thursday night in the basement 
of the Dodson home. She was reported in a serious condition on Sunday.

Members of the family said gas from the heater system apparently had escaped 
and filled the basement and that the explosion occurred when Mrs. Dodson 
lighted a match. Sara Elizabeth had accompanied her mother to the basement. 
The home was damaged only slightly by the blast. 

Additional Comments:
Alabama Deaths, 1908-59 
Name: Elizabeth Dodson 
Death Date: Nov 1938 
Death County: Pike  
Volume: 53  
Certificate: 26040  
Roll: 3  

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