Guest Perishes In Duwamish Houseboat Blast
One man was killed and three persons were burned seriously Saturday night September 25, 1954 when an explosion splintered a beached houseboat into a towering geyser of flaming debris on the Duwamish Waterway west of Boeing Plant 2.
The dead man was identified as Walter Shank, a guest in the converted houseboat at 8620 Dallas Avenue. Shank lived at 2327 North 60th Street.
Witnesses said he either was blown from or staggered out of the flaming kitchen. He lay six feet from the blazing ruins of the residence, too tightly ringed by fiery wreckage to be reached by rescuers.
Flames finally stilled his screams for help!
King County Sheriff's Deputies William Randecker and Harold Gauntlett said the Regans and their two guests were in the kitchen preparing dinner when something - possibly kerosene - burst with a force that fired debris high into the night sky.
Raymond Goe, just home from Army duty in Germany was to meet his common-law father Walter for dinner and arrived to see Walter rolling on the ground on fire and screaming for help. Due to the dangerous fires all around Walter, Raymond was held down by three fireman to keep him from the danger. Ray would tell you this was the only being that showed him love while he grew up. Ray loved him with all his heart.
One man was killed and three persons were burned seriously Saturday night September 25, 1954 when an explosion splintered a beached houseboat into a towering geyser of flaming debris on the Duwamish Waterway west of Boeing Plant 2.
The dead man was identified as Walter Shank, a guest in the converted houseboat at 8620 Dallas Avenue. Shank lived at 2327 North 60th Street.
Witnesses said he either was blown from or staggered out of the flaming kitchen. He lay six feet from the blazing ruins of the residence, too tightly ringed by fiery wreckage to be reached by rescuers.
Flames finally stilled his screams for help!
King County Sheriff's Deputies William Randecker and Harold Gauntlett said the Regans and their two guests were in the kitchen preparing dinner when something - possibly kerosene - burst with a force that fired debris high into the night sky.
Raymond Goe, just home from Army duty in Germany was to meet his common-law father Walter for dinner and arrived to see Walter rolling on the ground on fire and screaming for help. Due to the dangerous fires all around Walter, Raymond was held down by three fireman to keep him from the danger. Ray would tell you this was the only being that showed him love while he grew up. Ray loved him with all his heart.
Guest Perishes In Duwamish Houseboat Blast
One man was killed and three persons were burned seriously Saturday night September 25, 1954 when an explosion splintered a beached houseboat into a towering geyser of flaming debris on the Duwamish Waterway west of Boeing Plant 2.
The dead man was identified as Walter Shank, a guest in the converted houseboat at 8620 Dallas Avenue. Shank lived at 2327 North 60th Street.
Witnesses said he either was blown from or staggered out of the flaming kitchen. He lay six feet from the blazing ruins of the residence, too tightly ringed by fiery wreckage to be reached by rescuers.
Flames finally stilled his screams for help!
King County Sheriff's Deputies William Randecker and Harold Gauntlett said the Regans and their two guests were in the kitchen preparing dinner when something - possibly kerosene - burst with a force that fired debris high into the night sky.
Raymond Goe, just home from Army duty in Germany was to meet his common-law father Walter for dinner and arrived to see Walter rolling on the ground on fire and screaming for help. Due to the dangerous fires all around Walter, Raymond was held down by three fireman to keep him from the danger. Ray would tell you this was the only being that showed him love while he grew up. Ray loved him with all his heart.
One man was killed and three persons were burned seriously Saturday night September 25, 1954 when an explosion splintered a beached houseboat into a towering geyser of flaming debris on the Duwamish Waterway west of Boeing Plant 2.
The dead man was identified as Walter Shank, a guest in the converted houseboat at 8620 Dallas Avenue. Shank lived at 2327 North 60th Street.
Witnesses said he either was blown from or staggered out of the flaming kitchen. He lay six feet from the blazing ruins of the residence, too tightly ringed by fiery wreckage to be reached by rescuers.
Flames finally stilled his screams for help!
King County Sheriff's Deputies William Randecker and Harold Gauntlett said the Regans and their two guests were in the kitchen preparing dinner when something - possibly kerosene - burst with a force that fired debris high into the night sky.
Raymond Goe, just home from Army duty in Germany was to meet his common-law father Walter for dinner and arrived to see Walter rolling on the ground on fire and screaming for help. Due to the dangerous fires all around Walter, Raymond was held down by three fireman to keep him from the danger. Ray would tell you this was the only being that showed him love while he grew up. Ray loved him with all his heart.
Family Members
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
