THE TIMARU FIRE.

Evening Star, Issue 4103, 21 April 1876, Page 3

THE TIMARU FIRE.

The 4 South Canterbury Times ’ gives the following additional particulars :-“Mr F. Clarkson, to whom the premises belonged, heard a row in the house, with occasional cries of * murder.’ He ran out of the house he was residing in close by, and discovered that the premises were on fire, at the same time hearing screams proceeding from within like as from a woman. He endeavored to force open the door, but the flames had such a quick mastery of the house, that he was prevented from accomplishing his purpose, and beat a hasty retreat. It as now beyond a doubt that from the appearance of the two men found near the burnt house, a severe drunken row must have occurred, and that during the same, a kerosene lamp, or some other light upset, as Jones had his whiskers singed off, and Butler had a black eye and several cuts upon his face. On Sunday morning an enquiry was instituted in regard to the other man reported to have been also in the house with the woman, according to Jones’ statement, and shortly after, a man named Robert Orr, said to be manager of a station, was arrested with the other men for manslaughter. At the inquest on the body of Lizzie Duncan, the jury returned a verdict of “accidental death,” adding that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated, and a alder blaming severely Jones, Butler, and Orr for not endeavoring to rescue the woman. It appears that Orr admitted having been in the house on the night in question, but that he left it prior to the fire breaking out.