A NARROW ESCAPE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18230, 14 November 1924, Page 12

A NARROW ESCAPE.

UNCONSCIOUS IN BURNING BUILDING.

Mr W. Gaby, of Arundel, near Goraldine, had a narrow escape from being burned to death. He is a bachelor, and for some time past has been conducting a store at Arundel, close to the Bangitata bridge, the store being separated from the residence by only a few feet. Whilst he was engaged in the store his residence caught fire, and it had gained a good hold before he became aware of the fact. On discovering the danger hia first thought was to save the deeds of his farm, and ho ran through the burning room, seized the box containing the deeds, threw it through the window, and ran to escape from the building by the way he entered. As he approached the exit, a burning rafter fell- on his head, knocking him down and rendering him unconscious. A neighbour, Mr 6. Kensington, had hastened to Mr Gaby's assistance, and misßing him, looked into the burning room, and saw him lying under the rafter, whereupon, he raised it and dragged the unconscious man out. Mr Gaby received medical attention, without loss of time, hia scalp being bo much burned that from the top of the forehead to the back of the neck, hair and skin had been burned off with the exceptiou of v a little piece on one side. His face, and also his arms were badly borned, but he has borne the pain stoically, and appears to be making good progress. There was no insurance on the residence. By the work of the neighbours the store was »yed»_ ._• -, --;