TWO CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 48, 2 January 1877, Page 3

TWO CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH.

Ope of the most painful accidents it has been our lot to chronicle (writes the Parkes Gazette) occurred at Genanagi Station, about 35 hiiles from Parkes, on Sunday night, the sth nit., by which two children of James and Mary Smith were so dreadfully injured that they expired two hours afterwards, the mother and youngest child being also severely burnt. The accident occurred in a very simple way, and the dreadful affair was but the work of a moment. We learn that the three children AvereHn bed, and the mother about retiring. A " fat lamp" stood near the side of the tent in which they resided* A sudden gust of wind drove the canvas against the light, and it instantly caught fire, and in an incredibly short space of time the bed clothes and tent were in flames. The poor woman's screams brought her husband and others to the scene- quickly, but not quick enough to save-the unfortunate ones, and the two eldest children Avere so severely injured before they could be dragged out that they only surviA'ed a short time. The youngest child also suffered severely, but entertained of its ultimate recovery. The unfortunate mother was so severely injured in her efforts to save the children that she'now lies in a very precarious state. An inquest Avas held before Mr. W. E. Austin, J.P., coroner for district, and the jury returned a verdict that death had been caused by severe burns accidentally received.