The parents, in their first floor bedroom, were awakened by smoke and upon arising, found the kitchen in flames. Frank grabbed daughter Elizabeth, who also slept downstairs, and ran out of the house. Dressed only in socks and underwear, he fled to the neighbors to have them call the fire department.

Sylvia ran upstairs. Holding two of the children by the hand, she struggled to force open a storm window. It gave way and she tumbled out onto the ground, losing her hold on the youngsters. The fall resulted in a severely broken foot.

Rescuers could not induce the children to jump because they were too frightened. Further rescue efforts were too little, too late.

For Frank and Sylvia Morse and their seven year old daughter Elizabeth, there were no preparations for Christmas,