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Story
May 27, 1883
The Daily Dispatch
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Lucy Brooks, a young Black woman employed by Rev. Dr. W. E. Hatcher in Richmond, was severely burned in a kerosene oil explosion while starting a fire at his residence on West Grace Street. She ran into the street before being aided and taken to her mother's home.
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Kerosene-Oil Accident.
A young colored woman named Lucy
Brooks, employed by Rev. Dr. W. E.
Hatcher at his residence, No. 405 west
Grace street, was very badly burned yes-
terday evening. She was preparing to
make a fire in the stove, and to facilitate
her operations was pouring kerosene oil on
the kindling-wood, at the same time striking
a match to light the flame. The stream
from the can caught fire, and an explosion
of the contents of the can followed, setting
her clothes on fire. She ran into the street
screaming aloud, and had gotten nearly to
Broad street before friendly hands stopped
her and pulled the burning clothes from
her body. She was promptly and kindly
cared for by Dr. Hatcher and others.
The city ambulance was called, and Dr.
Mercer, in whose charge it was, took her
to her mother's home, on Sixth street near
Baker. Her injuries are exceedingly pain-
ful and dangerous.
The oil which exploded must have been
of the cheap stuff so plentifully sold here,
though not reaching the standard required
by law.
Good kerosene would not have exploded
in that way.
A young colored woman named Lucy
Brooks, employed by Rev. Dr. W. E.
Hatcher at his residence, No. 405 west
Grace street, was very badly burned yes-
terday evening. She was preparing to
make a fire in the stove, and to facilitate
her operations was pouring kerosene oil on
the kindling-wood, at the same time striking
a match to light the flame. The stream
from the can caught fire, and an explosion
of the contents of the can followed, setting
her clothes on fire. She ran into the street
screaming aloud, and had gotten nearly to
Broad street before friendly hands stopped
her and pulled the burning clothes from
her body. She was promptly and kindly
cared for by Dr. Hatcher and others.
The city ambulance was called, and Dr.
Mercer, in whose charge it was, took her
to her mother's home, on Sixth street near
Baker. Her injuries are exceedingly pain-
ful and dangerous.
The oil which exploded must have been
of the cheap stuff so plentifully sold here,
though not reaching the standard required
by law.
Good kerosene would not have exploded
in that way.
What sub-type of article is it?
Disaster
Medical Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Kerosene Explosion
Burn Injury
Fire Accident
Substandard Oil
What entities or persons were involved?
Lucy Brooks
Rev. Dr. W. E. Hatcher
Dr. Mercer
Where did it happen?
No. 405 West Grace Street, Richmond
Story Details
Key Persons
Lucy Brooks
Rev. Dr. W. E. Hatcher
Dr. Mercer
Location
No. 405 West Grace Street, Richmond
Event Date
Yesterday Evening
Story Details
Lucy Brooks poured kerosene on kindling while lighting a match, causing an explosion that set her clothes on fire. She ran screaming to near Broad street before being helped, then taken by ambulance to her mother's home on Sixth street near Baker. Injuries are painful and dangerous, attributed to substandard oil.