November 5, 1920
Minneapolis, Minnesota
7-year-old Betty Jones dies from injuries a week after her Halloween costume ignited

Jones and a group of 25 other children visited a neighbor’s home for Halloween activities. Jones had a paper costume over her regular attire and, while the children played by casting shadows on the wall produced by candlelight, Jones’ costume caught fire. Though a quick-thinking adult threw a tub of water used to bob for apples, Jones was badly burned. She was hospitalized for six days before succumbing to her injuries.

Bonus:
“A feline of the ebony hue” indirectly caused the death of an 83-year-old man who attempted to kick the cat, missed, lost his balance, and broke his neck. Newspapers described the event as “black cat hoodoo.” The cat was not harmed.

Sources:
Betty Jones. Find a Grave. Accessed: November 5, 2019. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34485754/betty-jones
“Funeral of Betty Jones to Be Held Tomorrow.” The Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. November 7, 1920
“Child Dies of Burns Received in Playing at Halloween Party.” Star Tribune [Minneapolis, Minnesota]. November 6, 1920