Robert died of injuries he sustained in a fire at his home at 10 Cascade Street that also claimed the lives of two of his brothers and a sister.
Mr. Clarence Conrad and his wife, Mrs. Margaret (Meaney) Conrad, also perished in the fire.
The fire, which was reported as the worst tragedy in records of the fire department, began when Robert entered the shed with a lighted lantern. It was believed that fumes ignited and caused a violent explosion. Flames raced to the roof and then trapped occupants on the second and third floors.
The fire had moved too swiftly for the occupants to escape. The intense heat drove firemen off ladders ans started to melt their rubber garments and to affect their smoke masks.
Robert was the only victim who responded to treatment. He was brought to Burbank Hospital, but died about four days later on the evening of May 29th.
A quadruple funeral was held for all four Espie children, with four hearses leading a 60-car cortege that brought traffic to a standstill in and around Sacred Heart church for the duration of the services.
During the singing of the solemn high mass of requiem, the four caskets were placed in the form of a cross facing the mourners. That of Robert, the eldest was at the head, those of the twins, John & Joan, formed the arms of the cross, and that of Paul, the foot of the cross.
Mr. Clarence Conrad and his wife, Mrs. Margaret (Meaney) Conrad, also perished in the fire.
The fire, which was reported as the worst tragedy in records of the fire department, began when Robert entered the shed with a lighted lantern. It was believed that fumes ignited and caused a violent explosion. Flames raced to the roof and then trapped occupants on the second and third floors.
The fire had moved too swiftly for the occupants to escape. The intense heat drove firemen off ladders ans started to melt their rubber garments and to affect their smoke masks.
Robert was the only victim who responded to treatment. He was brought to Burbank Hospital, but died about four days later on the evening of May 29th.
A quadruple funeral was held for all four Espie children, with four hearses leading a 60-car cortege that brought traffic to a standstill in and around Sacred Heart church for the duration of the services.
During the singing of the solemn high mass of requiem, the four caskets were placed in the form of a cross facing the mourners. That of Robert, the eldest was at the head, those of the twins, John & Joan, formed the arms of the cross, and that of Paul, the foot of the cross.
Robert died of injuries he sustained in a fire at his home at 10 Cascade Street that also claimed the lives of two of his brothers and a sister.
Mr. Clarence Conrad and his wife, Mrs. Margaret (Meaney) Conrad, also perished in the fire.
The fire, which was reported as the worst tragedy in records of the fire department, began when Robert entered the shed with a lighted lantern. It was believed that fumes ignited and caused a violent explosion. Flames raced to the roof and then trapped occupants on the second and third floors.
The fire had moved too swiftly for the occupants to escape. The intense heat drove firemen off ladders ans started to melt their rubber garments and to affect their smoke masks.
Robert was the only victim who responded to treatment. He was brought to Burbank Hospital, but died about four days later on the evening of May 29th.
A quadruple funeral was held for all four Espie children, with four hearses leading a 60-car cortege that brought traffic to a standstill in and around Sacred Heart church for the duration of the services.
During the singing of the solemn high mass of requiem, the four caskets were placed in the form of a cross facing the mourners. That of Robert, the eldest was at the head, those of the twins, John & Joan, formed the arms of the cross, and that of Paul, the foot of the cross.
Mr. Clarence Conrad and his wife, Mrs. Margaret (Meaney) Conrad, also perished in the fire.
The fire, which was reported as the worst tragedy in records of the fire department, began when Robert entered the shed with a lighted lantern. It was believed that fumes ignited and caused a violent explosion. Flames raced to the roof and then trapped occupants on the second and third floors.
The fire had moved too swiftly for the occupants to escape. The intense heat drove firemen off ladders ans started to melt their rubber garments and to affect their smoke masks.
Robert was the only victim who responded to treatment. He was brought to Burbank Hospital, but died about four days later on the evening of May 29th.
A quadruple funeral was held for all four Espie children, with four hearses leading a 60-car cortege that brought traffic to a standstill in and around Sacred Heart church for the duration of the services.
During the singing of the solemn high mass of requiem, the four caskets were placed in the form of a cross facing the mourners. That of Robert, the eldest was at the head, those of the twins, John & Joan, formed the arms of the cross, and that of Paul, the foot of the cross.
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