CHILD BURNED TO DEATH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 198, 17 May 1920, Page 4

CHILD BURNED TO DEATH

A WAIEtI TRAGEDY. By TolearaDli—Pre?>! Association. Waihi, May 10. A fire resulting in the loss of one life occurred last night just after 10 o'clock at the residence of Thomas Barker. At tho time of the outbreak Mrs. Barker was attending to a sick neighbour, while tho husband and the two oldest children were i.i the township, the four younger children having gone to bed. The eldest of these—James, aged 12 years—whs awakened by 6inoke and fire and succeeded in getting his two little brothers out through the bedroom window. Afterwards he attempted to reach his little sister Iris (b;hveen two and three years old), who was in the front bedroom and whom he heard crying out. He was, however, forced back'by flames in the passageway, and although 'he lost no time in raising the alarm, the little one had been burned, to death before assistance could be> found. The local fire brigade turned out promptly, but owing to collision of the fire engine with a- straying cow, were late in reaching the scene, having to abandon tho engine and requisition a private cat.