Evidence Of Drinking Before Fatal Fire

Chronicle (Levin), 16 July 1949, Page 5

Evidence Of Drinking Before Fatal Fire

CHRTBTPHTTRCH, July 15. "Edwards had been drinking ■ and that might have had, a bearing on the eause of the fire," said tlie Coroner (Mr Raymond Ferner) when the infpiest Avas eoncluded to-dav into the death of Hruee Owen Edwards, aged 34, taxi driver, Edwards died when his bach at 7S Springfield Road, was gutted by fire in the early honrs of the morning of IHay 29. A verdiet wTas returned that Edwards died from asphyxia due to tlie inhalation of carbon monoxide gas eaused by the Imrning of the bach. Roy Mvers Johnston said he had sliared the bach with Edwards on the night of IMay 28. Botli went to a party and they returned home bv taxi ear-

ly the following morning. Edwards went into the bach while he aeeompanied the taxi driver in his work. Later he was told the bach had been destroyed by fire. said Johnston. Edwards had been drinking bnt he had not appeared to be affeeted by the licpior. Police witnesses said they found no evidcnee of foul play. The bach was so badlv burned that it was impossible to establish the cause of the fire, said William Reid Strachan, chief electrieal inspector for the Munieipal Electricity Department. Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist, gave medieal evidence. He had conducted a post-mortem examination on Edwards, , finding a high aleoholic content in the body, he said.