NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1921, Page 4

NEWS BY MAIL.

NT NS’ E ESC UK WOK K. KUSH l-'KO.M CONVENT. LONDON, Jan.. 23. Twenty-six aged women—l 9ot them bedridden, 4 of them blind, and the rest stone deaf or with other infirmities—were rescued from a fire which broke out last night at “The Retreat,” a well-known .home of rest for old women which is situated just outside Queen’s-road Station, Peckham, S.K. These comprised the whole of the inmates, and, with the small stall, they all escaped serious injury. Some, however, suffered from shock or were affected by the smoke. The tire, which started in the roof, was first observed from the adjoining Marist Convent. Nuns ran into “The Retreat” and gave the alarm, and at once started to assist’' the old women into safety. Three young men also rushed into the building and assisted in carrying out the women, but the bulk of the rescue work fell on the firemen, who carried the inmates into the convent, where ; they were attended,by nuns. Those who were bedridden had to be carried out in their bedclothes. Most of the inmates are about 70 or 80. ' Only a few were able to walk. | It was fortunate that the rescue of , the inmates was effected so promptly, j for once the fire had got hold o£ the j building it blazed fiercely for an hour ; and the whole place was burned out. A j large force of firemen was present. Two men were overcome by gas fumes escaping from a broken meter, and another | was injured slighlv by falling debris,