Barclay - Floyd
FLOYD BARCLAY
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review 22-Nov-1976 page 1
A 78-year-old Crawfordsville man died late Sunday afternoon when fire gutted his small home at 411 1/2 Lafayette Ave. Dead is Floyd Barclay. Montgomery County Coroner Russell Powers said Barclay died of smoke inhalation. Fire Chief Fred Davis said Barclay was probably trying to light his wood-burning stove when the fire started. He theorized Barclay was attempting to light some wood in the stove with kerosene when the fire flamed up into his face. Crawfordsville Fire Department Capt. Rex Hayes said the blaze started in the vicinity of the living room and near an old wood-burning stove. The stove was used to heat the house. "I think the top of the stove was open and the flames jumped from the stove onto the ceiling section of the wooden home," Hayes said. "The fire was fed by logs and other items left inside the structure. We think it came up in his face and he fled to the bedroom where he collapsed," Davis said. "We inspected the premises this morning and we talked with the funeral director and we think that is what happened.” Fire officials had originally theorized the stove top was left off the stove and flames jumped to the ceiling. Davis said the change in theory came after he had confirmed that Barclay had purchased some kerosene at a nearby gas station and a melted plastic can was found near the stove. Davis also said the burns on Barclay's body also indicated he was closer to the fire than the location of the body indicated. Firemen arrived at the scene at 5:41 p.m. and fought back some flames and intense smoke before finding the victim. Firemen had battled the blaze for 20 minutes before men could enter the building. Hayes said Barclay's body was found in the bedroom of the structure. Firemen stayed at the scene for nearly an hour as the flames flared up several times. The department used two units, eight firemen and two EMTs on the run. Mr. Barclay was a member of Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church. Born May 11, 1898, he was a son of George and Nancy Keller Barclay of Crawfordsville. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Pearl Campbell of Crawfordsville; a brother, Hugh of Crawfordsville; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Hunt & Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Dick Baker officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Tuesday. Elsewhere, a 5-year-old Elkhart boy died in a Fort Wayne hospital this morning from injuries suffered in a fire at his home Nov. 7, authorities said. The victim was identified as Michael Raymer.--waw