Volume 15 , Issue 9

Mysterious Blue Fires Threaten Woman's Life

In the New-York Tribune, 14 March 1922, page, 3, "Mysterious Blue Fires Threaten Woman's Life" was the headlines. As the newspaper reported, "Flames leaped out at intervals from clothing and bedding of invalid."

Alva, Okla., March 13, 1922 -- Blue flames, their origin a mystery, which burst forth apparently from the air itself, threaten death to Mrs. Ona Smith, twenty-three years old, an invalid, who lies paralyzed on a bed in a cottage here. Bedside watchers, who are keeping vigil day and night, can only leap to the rescue as the fires burst out at intervals in bedding and in clothing worn by Mrs. Smith.

Two mattresses have been burned, a calendar on the wall has been ignited, a shawl worn by the invalid has burst into flames and several other blazes started in the house in the last few days. The first fire came at midnight Wednesday. The flames, which suddenly leaped up from the bottom of the mattress on the bed, were extinguished by Mrs. Smith's mother, Mrs. John Weyers (Meyers? or Weyers?).

A physician who was called in following the first blaze, failed to solve the mystery. Theories advanced include spiritualism and incendiairism.

Phantom Blue Flames From Out Of Thin Air It was in the March 14, 1922, issue of The New York Times, that reported the story of a 23-year-old Alva woman who was apparently the focus of a fiery poltergeist. Mrs. Ona Smith, an invalid who lay paralyzed in bed, had to be accompanied by bedside watchers day and night who would put out the mysterious blue flames which would appear from nowhere and ignite various items in the room. According to the article, a new mattress burst into flames in the presence of several witnesses including a newspaper reporter. Bedding, clothes worn by Mrs. Smith, wall draperies and even a wall calendar were only some of the items in Mrs. Smith's room to be reduced to smouldering ruins. Witnesses described the mysterious blue flames as giving off a "crackling" sound and seemingly jumping from the air.

Mrs. Ona Smith of Alva Oklahoma it was reported in the New York Times March 14, 1922 edition was in constant danger of being burned alive. The woman was an invalid who's only defense against the repeated eruptions of flames were those constantly at her bedside throughout the crisis.

At intervals blue flames would leap up from her bedding and clothes. This phenomena had several witnesses at a time take notice of it including a reporter. Her body did NOT seem to be the source of the fires. The cause to this day has remained unknown. This story taken from Spontaneous Human Combustion   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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