South Yorkshire Times June 15, 1957

Distressing Mishap

West Melton Widow Badly Burnt

Mrs Poole, a 74 years old widow of 9, Co-operative Street, West Melton, was taken to Mexborough Montagu hospital on Tuesday night with extensive burns to the upper half of her body. Mrs Poole told relatives later that she was cleaning the top of her cellar steps by candlelight when her clothes caught fire.

The man who went to Mrs Poole’s rescue was next door neighbour Mr Charles Watson.

“I was watching television when I happened to look through the back window. I then saw a mass of flame go past the window,” he said

Mrs Poole was shouting Henry, and Mr Watson, but Mr Henry Smith, who lives two doors away was out. Mr Watson took a rug and wrapped it round her body to smother the flames. Mrs Poole then sat against the wall. With help from neighbours he took Mrs Poole back into her house and into an armchair. Meanwhile the neighbours contacted the police and Mexborough and Wath Fire Brigade

There was no damage to property, however, and fire engines were not brought into use.

Relatives were taken to the hospital by Wath police, and there they were informed that an immediate blood transfusion would be neccessary. Burns to the upper half of Mrs. Poole’s body were extensive and severe, and had reached the face. On Wednesday Mrs. Poole was stated to be “critically ill.”

Mr. T. Poole, Mrs. Poole’s husband, died in 1943 and since then she has lived on her own. She has four sons and two daughters. One of her sons, Mr. Ernest Poole, is secretary of Westville W.M.C., of which Mrs. Poole is also a member.

She has also taken an active part in the Oak Lea. Over Sixties’ Club.