Wallace, Stephanie Marie (1975-1977)

WALLACE, BLYTHE, WEBER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/7/2017 at 16:35:45

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Wednesday, February 9, 1977

Little girl badly burned at Blairsburg

Baby rescued from blaze last night

BLAIRSBURG - One-year-old Stephanie Wallace remained in critical condition late this morning after she received second-and third-degree burns over most of her body in a house fire here late Tuesday night.

The daughter of the G.A. Wallaces, who lived in north Blairsburg, was in the University of Iowa hospitals in Iowa City after being flown there from Fort Dodge.

The Wallace house was nearly gutted and all the contents were destroyed, according to Blairsburg Fire Chief Jim Scott. Cause of the fire and a dollar loss figure were not available this morning.

The girl's half-brother, Bobby Weber, 13, was awakened by the smell of smoke at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and he notified a neighbor, Jim Bisbee, of the fire, Scott said.

Bisbee twice attempted to reach the baby's crib before he rescued her. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were not at home when the fire broke out.

The girl was taken to the Hamilton County Public hospital by the Webster City fire rescue squad, from where she was immediately transferred to Trinity Regional hospital in Fort Dodge. However, the Hamilton County hospital ambulance broke down between Webster City and Fort Dodge and the youngster and Dr. Joseph Latella were taken the rest of the way to Fort Dodge in Deputy Sheriff Lyle Seiser's patrol car.

The Wallace girl was placed on an airplane and flown to Iowa City almost as soon as she arrived in Fort Dodge.

About 14 Blairsburg firemen used both of the city's trucks to bring the fire under control within 45 minutes, Scott said. No other buildings were in danger, he added.

The fire apparently started on the main floor where three walls come together, Scott said. The baby was close to the fire's origin, the chief continued.

Mrs. Glenn Brick of Webster City owned the house.

Thirteen-year-old Bobby was not hurt in the blaze, Scott said.

The Wallaces have lived in Blairsburg for less than half a year.

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Friday, February 11, 1977

Graveside services for Stephanie Marie Wallace, 13-month-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Garth Wallace of Blairsburg will be held Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at St. Mary's cemetery in Williams.

The Rev. Father Clarence Kruse will officiate at the services.

Stephanie Marie Wallace died Thursday morning at the University Hospitals in Iowa City where she was receiving treatment for critical burns suffered in a fire at the Wallace home in Blairsburg Tuesday night.

Stephanie Marie Wallace, daughter of Garth and Peggy Blythe Wallace, was born at Waddsworth, Ohio, on Dec. 27, 1975.

She moved with her parents to Blairsburg about six months ago.

Besides her parents, she is survived by a brother, Robert; and her maternal and paternal grandparents from Ohio and Illinois.