A SHOCKING AFFAIR

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1925, Page 2

A SHOCKING AFFAIR

WOMAN ANI) CHILD BADLY BURNED.

BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ABSN., COPYRIGHT. AUCKLAND, November 13. A shocking affair occurred at Penrose this afternoon, when n young married woman and her baby son were very seriously burned, as the result of the ignition of some benzine used by the mother in lighting the fire. The victims of the accident were Mrs Dorothy Louisa Williams, aged 29, wife of Henry Hugh Williams, stoneworker. Penrose; and their son, Geoffrey. aged two and a half years. Mr and Mrs Williams lived with their two little sons, aged five and two years, in a two-roomed cottage in Ferndale Road, between Penrose and Pan mu re. Mr Williams was busy at his work in a quarry not far from the house this afternoon, and his wife was at homo with two children. At about half past four Mrs ' Williams set about lighting the fire, and. apparently, had some difficulty. According to the story of the elder bov. she then used some motor spirit in an effort to get the fire going. Evidently the flame reached a larger qauntity of spirit than was intended and disaster followed. The mass of flames set the interior of the room alight, and set fire to Mrs Williams’ clothes.

The unfortunate woman rushed outside, with her clothing alight. She was seen hv a passer-by, Mr J. O’Halloran, who rushed to her assistance, lie taking off his coat and wrapping it round her. and thus quelling tho flames.

Mrs Williams was in a state of collapse, and was seen to he fearfully burned all over the body. Tho elder l«>y got out of the burning house unhurt. hut the little hoy. Geoffrey, was left inside.

Another man happened to Ixt handy at the time, Peter Tostaffen, who rushed inside and brought him out, though the little fellow was also very badly burned about most parts of the body.

Mrs Williams and her baby were taken to a neighbouring bouse and everything possible was done for them. Dr W. M. McCormick, of Remuera, was sent for, and, after preliminary treatment tho two sufferers were brought to the hospital by ambulance.

Meanwhile the bouse was burning fiercely. The flumes obtained a good hold right from the commencement, and were helped by a strong wind. Nothing could he done to save tho house or its contents, and the building was absolutely destroyed, with everything in it. The house was owned hv Mr Percy Winstone, of Remeurn.

Much sympathy is felt in the district for the afflicted family. Mr Williams is a returned soldier, and has himself been a patient for some time in the Evelyn Firth Home at Parnell. Since leaving there, he had been making every effort to establish a home at Penrose. He had no insurance on his furniture in the house,