A FATAL FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2126, 8 July 1907, Page 3

A FATAL FIRE.

TWO PERSONS BURNT TO DEATH

Press Association. DUNEDIN, last, night, A fatal fire occurred at Port 03 mI - mers this morning. Constable Smart noticed Humes issuing from a two-storied wooden house, and on hurrying to llio seeno found a young man named William Alierfield and liis sister-in-law, 1-lino Helm, lying on the footpath severely burnt and injured. It appears that tho inmates wore | awakened by tlio noise of fire and Aberfield t-uslied to the front window overlooking the street, tolling his wife to throw their four-vear-old child into his arms after he jumped down. He jumped about 15 foot and finding | bis wife did not aooear, climbed back | through the window and searched lor them, but was driven back by tho Annies and smoke before lie could reach them. He, however, stumbled over liis wife’s sister, 11 years old, crouching in a corner of flic room. He picked her up and dropped her from tho window on to the pavement niui jumped out again himself. Dr. Borrie was quickly on tlio scene and attended to the sufferers. -

Aberfield was badly burned and also sustained severe scalp wounds and lacerations from broken window panes. Mine Rehu was so shockingly burned as to be almost beyond hope of recovery. and both were sent- to tlio hospital. After the fire was got under the bodies of All's. Aberfield and her child wore discovered amongst the debris.

Aberfield had only been in the Port about four weeks, and was employed at the new dock. His parents reside at Greenbills, near Bluff. Mrs. Aborfield only came to the Port a couple of weeks ago to join her husband, and her little sister was staying with her on a visit. The house belonged to Mr. John "Watson and was insured by an amount not yet ascertainable.