FIRE FATALITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1637, 2 January 1913, Page 5

FIRE FATALITY.

RETIRED MARINER LOSES HIS LIFE GERMAN WARSHIP SENDS AID. BLAZE AT AUCKLAND. Auckland, January 1. Serious damage and loss of life were caused by a firo at Birkenhead early this morning. Originating in a email cottage near tho ferry wharf, the firo completely destroyed this building and -also two 6tablcs and other structures, comprising part of Messrs. C. Vorran and Son's hostelry yard. Within (in hour theso buildings wore consumed; and then tho charred remains of Mr. Thomas M'Lean, a retired master mariner, 70 years of age, who had occupied tho cottage, wore found among tho embers. o - The fire was first Been by Captain Benjamin Pooli, who had ju6t returned from his duties on a ferry boat. Bo immediately awoko Mr. J. Verran, who Was sleeping oloso by. The flames were bursting out of the windows of tho cottage, iand although the presence of M'Lean in tho cottago was surmised, all attempts to approach it were rendered futile by.tho intenso heat.

Tho buildings destroyed covered about three-quarters of aft acre.. The available water supply was in tanks on the seaward side of the burning building,, and there-' fore unattainable. Nothing could bo done except to pull down all buildings connect-, ing the scone with the neighbouring premises. Somo half-dojen neighbours, aroused by tho fire, lent willing assistance, but without appliances were unable to combat the ilamos, wliioh, helped by a stiff easterly breeze, made a clean sweep of everything in under an hour. Unexpected assistance arrived in two long-boats from the German ,man-o'-war Connoran, which put off at tho first eight of the firo.,' The crew carried a full fireman's outfit ol' ropes, buckets, hatchets, smoke, jackets, and' helmets, • and attacked dangerous sheds with such goodwill that everything was «>on in comparative safety. t Had it not been for their, prompt action in extinguishing tho file, which' spread to Mossrp. Smith and.'; Horton's workshop, half-a-dozen houses which 'adjoin each other in an easterly direction would probably have been'destroyed had the wind been westerly, as nothing could have saved them. .: ' ' ' Mr. estimates the damage at >£2l)O0. Thb-premises were insured, but the' amount of cover extent cannot be ascertained. . . —■ The body of M'Lean was found by Constable M'Gilp. The head and limbs had been consumed by fire, but, giving evidence at the inquest held by the City , Coroner, ■Thomas JV M'Lean stated that ho had identified tho body as that of his father. He was last seen at 11.15. p.mi'.on Tuesday. Dr. A. T. Vf. F. Moiklesaid he'had made, a post-mortem-examination of i the romnins. Death was caused by suffocation, which must have beon, most rapid. V Tho jury returned a verdict of accidental death, in accordance with the medi-cal-opinion. \' ■ ' !-.■.-.• .... • ~'.;. .M'Lean.was 70.years of,am, and married. \He loaves a Widow, five «>na and two daughters. 1 He was "in receipt ofian old ago'pehsion. ..' .... -';