Eight Flee as Fire Sweeps Grocery, Living Quarters

Oakland Tribune, Feb. 17, 1947

Full Text:

HAYWARD, Feb. 17.—Eight persons early today fled the second floor living quarters of a Russell City grocery and service station which was destroyed by fire which broke out shortly before 6 a.m.

One woman was burned as she rushed back into the flames in the belief her 2-year-old daughter had not been carried to safety. The child it was, learned later, had been rescued by other occupants of the building.

Firemen from four volunteer departments and the Alameda County fire patrol battled the flames for more than two hours, establishing lines to keep onlookers at a safe distance, because of three underground gasoline tanks.

SHOTS GIVE ALARM

Neighbors, who aided in fighting the blaze, were roused from their sleep by an unidentified person who fired five revolver shots into the air to attract attention to the fire.

Mrs. Elie Tourchette, 35, owner of the building at 8165 Russell Road, Russell City, was the woman burned in the flames. Her children were roused from their beds and led out by Oscar and Beatrice Couch, operators of the grocery who also live above the store.

The children are Elizabeth, 16; Edolic, 15; Barbara, 12; John, 9, and Rosalie, 2.

FOUR DEPARTMENTS CALLED

All available fire trucks in the area were called to the scene, including those from the Ashland, Cherryland, Tennyson and Hayward Acres volunteer departments.

Damage to the building and contents was estimated at $25,000. The only thing saved were the 1600 gallons of gasoline stored in the underground tanks.

High-power lines in front of the store and station were severed by the blaze and Pacific Gas & Electric Company crews were called to restore service.

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