Olena v. Standard Oil Co.

The motions for a nonsuit and directed verdict were properly denied. As will appear later, the plaintiff was entitled to a verdict if exploding oil was supplied by the defendant when below the statutory standard and the explosion caused the decedent’s death, barring her fault.

A witness who was present at the accident testified that an explosion of the contents of an oil can preceded flames which enveloped and fatally burned the decedent. There was evidence that the can contained oil bought at a store. The storekeeper testified to having a 300-gallon tank for storing kerosene and to the…