Woman dies from fire caused by prank

Fri., July 16, 2004

Associated Press

CALUMET CITY, Ill. – An elderly woman has died after lit fireworks were slipped into the mail slot of her home, sparking a fire over the Independence Day weekend.

Police say a 16-year-old boy put the fireworks into Eleanore Moll’s mail slot. The teen has been charged in juvenile court with aggravated arson. Po-lice Chief Patrick O’Meara said those charges could be upgraded.

Moll had been in critical condition at an Indiana hospital since the July 3 fire.

The curtains in Moll’s home ignited, spreading smoke throughout the residence. Moll was able to call 911 before collapsing. When firefighters found her, she was not breathing and had no pulse.

Moll, 76, never regained consciousness, family members said.

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Woman dies from fire caused by prank

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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