New Britain, Connecticut – August 18, 1896
On the afternoon of August 18, 1896, aeronaut Dan Barnell was scheduled to make a balloon ascension and parachute jump at White Oak Park in New Britain. As the balloon began to rise, flames suddenly became visible, and began to consume the balloon. When the balloon reached an altitude of about 100 feet it stopped rising and began to rapidly fall back to earth. Barnell jumped clear when the balloon was just a few feet from the ground, and his fall was broken by his brother-in-law, Charles Griswold, who managed to grab hold of him as he fell. Neither Barnell or Griswold were injured but the balloon was damaged beyond repair. The cause of the fire was not stated.
The incident was also witnessed by Barnell’s wife.
Source:
Hartford Courant, (Conn.), “New Britain Affairs – Dan Barnell Drops 100 Feet With His Balloon”, August 19, 1896