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Story
February 21, 1939
Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
What is this article about?
David E. Trewitt on trial in Los Angeles for starting a million-dollar brush fire in Santa Monica hills by dumping ashes from his cook stove into dry brush on November 23. Witnesses testify to evidence of his negligence and attempt to conceal it.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Court Hears How Million Dollar Fire Started in Pile of Ashes Dumped By Careless Cook on Dry Brush
LOS ANGELES. Feb. 21. (UP)-- David E. Trewitt, caretaker on a Topanga ranch, today went on trial before Municipal Judge C. Newell Carns on charges of having started the million dollar brush fire that swept the Santa Monica hills last Nov. 23.
H. T. Anderson, chief forester of the Topanga fire station, was the first witness called. He testified he investigated the spot where Trewitt had been caretaker at the Trippet ranch in Topanga canyon last Nov. 23, and discovered a pile of ashes apparently from Trewitt's cook stove had been dumped in the dry brush about 60 feet from the canyon.
Deputy Sheriff C. G. Iseminger reported that in his investigation he had discovered bits of green leaves and twigs in Trewitt's cook stove afterward, indicating the man had scooped up some of the ashes after the fire started and placed them back in the stove in an attempt to conceal the fact that his careless act had started the fire.
LOS ANGELES. Feb. 21. (UP)-- David E. Trewitt, caretaker on a Topanga ranch, today went on trial before Municipal Judge C. Newell Carns on charges of having started the million dollar brush fire that swept the Santa Monica hills last Nov. 23.
H. T. Anderson, chief forester of the Topanga fire station, was the first witness called. He testified he investigated the spot where Trewitt had been caretaker at the Trippet ranch in Topanga canyon last Nov. 23, and discovered a pile of ashes apparently from Trewitt's cook stove had been dumped in the dry brush about 60 feet from the canyon.
Deputy Sheriff C. G. Iseminger reported that in his investigation he had discovered bits of green leaves and twigs in Trewitt's cook stove afterward, indicating the man had scooped up some of the ashes after the fire started and placed them back in the stove in an attempt to conceal the fact that his careless act had started the fire.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Disaster
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Brush Fire
Negligent Dumping
Court Trial
Fire Investigation
Concealment Attempt
What entities or persons were involved?
David E. Trewitt
H. T. Anderson
C. Newell Carns
C. G. Iseminger
Where did it happen?
Los Angeles, Topanga Ranch, Santa Monica Hills, Topanga Canyon
Story Details
Key Persons
David E. Trewitt
H. T. Anderson
C. Newell Carns
C. G. Iseminger
Location
Los Angeles, Topanga Ranch, Santa Monica Hills, Topanga Canyon
Event Date
Last Nov. 23
Story Details
Caretaker David E. Trewitt accused of starting a million-dollar brush fire by dumping cook stove ashes into dry brush. Witnesses find ashes 60 feet from canyon and evidence of concealment attempt by placing burnt materials back in stove.