CITY TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1741, 5 May 1913, Page 5

CITY TRAGEDY.

OLD COUPLE SUFFOCATED.

FATAL LORNE ST. FIRE.

THREE MEN ESCAPE UNHARMED, Shortly before midnight on Saturday an old couple living in nu old-fashioned house in Lome Street met their death under tragio circumstances, lino victima were Urban George Frederick Hall mid his wife Phyllis Hall. Tho Central Fire Brigade were notified at 11.38 p.m. that No. 28 Lome Street was on fire, and, soon after reaching tho ecer.e, they suppressed the outbreak. Superintendent; Tait had previously inquired if there was anyoho in the house, ami had been told that there was Slot However, as soon as possible the brigadosmon. entered tho premises to open tho windows, so that the wind would blow tho smoko out, ajid give Ihem a clearer view of their, work. They were then astonished and shocked to find two bodies lying on tho floor of tlio front downstairs room within/ about (en yards of tlio street. Mrs. Hall was fully dressed, and lwd not been in bed; but Mr. Hall was undressed, and evidently had been, in bed. It seems clear that both made all attempt to quit tho burning building-, but thoir effort? did not avail against the suffocating smoke. There . were tlia-ee other people—three men—staying in the house, but they did not (so Superintendent Tait slates) give tho brigade any intimation, that the old . eouplo might bo in the house. The throe men were James Lloyd, Charles Stevenson, and John O'SuUivan. Lloyd and Stevenson were ledgers at the place, but O'Sullivan was only staying there tho night. Statements mado by Stevenson aiul Lloyd arc to the effect that tlicy went to bed between 0 and 9.30, and that Mr. aaid; Mrs. Hall were tli?n up. Both men stato that they discovered the fire, and both say. that it was about half-past eleven when they awoke, and found their room ablaze. It seems that the fire started in. tho room in which tho three men slept. This apartment was tho middle room of the three which constituted tlio upper story. Tho ages of tho victims nre not known. Mr. Hall is said to have bcon 57, and he is. described as an cx-wrgeiint-mtijoi of the army and a pensioner. Tho worn in which they wore found was very little damaged by fire, and the bodies received very little burning. Sir.' Earl Jenkins was passing alonj Lome Street at the time of tho out< break, and ho saw a reflection of fire, Tho brigade had not arrived then, so Mr, Jenkins, willi the. assistance of others', broko down the front door, and went through to the back of the house, calling out to ascertain if there was anyone in. tho building. 'They received no reply, so busied themselves removing some of tho effects from the lower-floor rooms to tho street. Tho fire had (do great a hold, for them to venture upstairs. Subsequently tho bodies of Mr. am? Mrs. Hall were removed to tho Morgue, Mr. W. G. Hiddell, S.M., has been six prised of tho facts, but has not yat d<^, cided when the inquest will be held. Tho police stated last night that ihcj" had not yet obtained ft atatcmont front O'Sullivan, as they have not seen hilar sinco tho fire.