In the July 2, 1924 edition of Variety magazine, it was reported that "George Jeske, director of Hal Roach comedies, was probably fatally burned Sunday, when he rescued three women and attempted to extinguish a fire in the apartment beneath his. Jeske was in a bathing suit at the time. Physicians regard Jeske's survival as doubtful." But he recovered and lived another 27 years.