THE FATAL FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1779, 3 November 1879, Page 2

THE FATAL FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

DUNEDIN, November 1. An inquest, on the bodies of the two children of Mr O'Brien, who were killed by the recent fire in G-reat King street, was held at Outer's Hotel this afternoon before Mr Hoeken. Michael O'Brien, dairyman in Great King street, deposed that deceased, Jeremiah O'Brien, waa his son, who was four years of age. Last Thursday evening, about 8 30, witness left the house, his wife and three children remaining in it. The two that were burnt were in bed. The kerosene lamp was lighted and was standing by a partition, which divided the two rooms. The fire could not have originated from the fireplace. The fire occurrod while be was out. He ran to it. The brigade had not then arrived. He tried to rescue the children, but could not. The deceased, Mary Jane O'Brien, was two and a half years old. He was not insured. He never dreamt of insuring. Bridget O'Brien, wife of the last witness, deposed that the deceased were her children. She left the house on Thursday evening last, about a quarter of an hour after her husband had gone out, to purchase some candles from a shop close by. The children were in bed and asleep. She left the door open. The lamp was all right, standing on the centre of the table. The door opened full on the lamp. She did not turn the lamp down. The partition was oi canvas and paper. She was only abßont five minute*, and on returning found the place in flames. A little gu-1 told her of the fire. She attempted to go into the house, but could not. It waa impoMible to go* the children out. Other witnesses having been exaiulned, the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death," and did not with any bUme attached to the mother.