WOMAN'S BRAVE BUT HOPELESS FIGHT AGAINST FIRE

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1949, Page 5

WOMAN'S BRAVE BUT HOPELESS FIGHT AGAINST FIRE

, NEW PLYMOUTH, June 17. Alone but for her two young children >rhom she carried to safetv, and unable o call the brigade by telephone or to ■end to distant neighbours for help, a /oung woman, Mrs. J. Smith, of Albert toad, near Egmont Yillage, spent a lesperate two liours fighting a fire that 'ventually destroyed the ■ house and nost of the furniture. When Mrs. Sinith noticed that the •oof of the house (owned by Mr. T. R. G. Sutherland, of New Plynouth) was smoulclering in the vicinity if the chimney, her husband was away it work. There was no phone and her wo small children prevented her from unning to her neighbours some disance away to seek assistance. She then began a long battle with the ire and wind. Before long she saw '.wo cars on the road and she tried to Jop them and send a message to the nglewood brigade, but both passed. By his time the blaze was spreading and Vlrs. Smith took both children clear ind carried what furniture she could o safety. Then she began again her ■opeless fight. This lasted for two •ours until the fire was noticed by the leiglibours and the brigade was called. 'iremen pumped water from an djacent stream, but it was too late. 'he roof was collapsing and little could >e done.