Tragedy struck on New Year’s Day in 1991 as flames rose high up into the Sierra Nevada sky from a former gold miner’s shack by the foothills of the mountains. The home of the Karlsen family, in Murphys, California, was ablaze.
Amid the chaos and smoke, Karl Karlsen managed to rescue his three young children, daughters Erin and Kati and son Levi. But his wife Christina, 30, was trapped in a bathroom behind a securely boarded-up window that she couldn’t break through.
The heat was too fierce for Karlsen to go back in and she perished in the fire. Christina died of smoke inhalation as she cowered in the bathtub with only a washcloth over her mouth for protection. It was a tragedy that would haunt the community.
The fire had seemingly started because of a string of unfortunate coincidences. Karlsen, who worked for Christina’s dad’s air-conditioning and heating business, said his wife had broken the bathroom window a few days earlier, which explained why it was boarded up with plywood from the outside, preventing her escape. She’d also left a jug of paraffin in the hallway outside the bathroom thinking it was water – and that had been accidentally knocked over. Then a faulty electric light had been placed too close to the carpet, which ignited the blaze.
Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin January 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin January 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
A STICKY SITUATION
Actors Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr bond with Margo Martindale and get beaten up by Jamie Lee Curtis in a riotous new comedy drama series
THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY
Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis gifts the world a new festive film this year
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for peoplepleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"
Amanda Hovanec enlisted her lover and her mother in her cold-blooded plot
'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'
Wellbeing coach Sarah-Jane Clark, from Swindon, shares how she achieved her dream of wearing a size 10 wedding dress after losing 12st
'I am so looking forward to Christmas'
Helen Flanagan shares her plans for the holidays with her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot and her kids
I'm turning the anger into positive energy
His best friend's death has made Gok Wan rethink life
‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle
Actress and presenter Kéllé Bryan on managing fame and fronting a new fashion initiative
'There were rats..it is a real jungle
Marvin Humes on his I'm A Celebrity experience, backing his buddies and the importance of kindness
'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'
Model Caprice Bourret tells new about her festive traditions and starring in and producing a Christmas film