SHOCKING TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1928, Page 3

SHOCKING TRAGEDY

(SETTLER AND SIX CHILDREN

BURNT TO DEATH

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright

HAWERA, Alay 25

A shocking fire tragedy occurred at midnight at Ararata. a fanning district not far from Hawera, a settler and six children being burnt to death. Tho names of deceased are:— Alfred AVoller, aged forty; Ruby, thirteen ; Ellen, eleven ; Alfred, eight; Ray. ten; Daphne, six (all AYoller’s children) ; Charles Parnell, thirteen.

The mother and two children spent the night at Hawera.

FURTHF.R, PARTICULARS. HAWERA, Alay 25

The scene of the tragedy was a fourroomed cottage, three of which were used as bedrooms. AVoller had a family of eight altogether, the wife and two younger children living at Hawera. The parents of flic boy Parnell also reside here.

Peter AVoller, a brother of deceased, lived in a tent a. couple of chains from the cottage. He was awakened about midnight with the sound of crackling timber and saw the cottage ablaze and the back portion already destroyed.

The flames were so fierce anti smoke so dense, that lie was unable to get inside. Tie tried the front door handle, but it was too hot to touch. He saw no sign of life.

A high southerly wind was blowing. The cottage stood on the edge of a hill, becoming a veritable furnace as soon as it caught fire. A neighbour visited the family yesterday evening and saw the house at eleven o’clock, when no light was visible. or any sign of fire. Among the smouldering embers this morning the remains of three bodies were seen. The others arc buried under the debris.

The deceased AVoller used to get up in the middle of the night making himself a cup of tea, as lie did not enjoy good health. Further investigation does not throw much new. light on the tragedy. There is nothing to indicate how the fire occurred. The father usually slept in the front room with the girl Daphne, two other girls occupying the hack bedroom and in the other front room were two hods occupied by two boys, while the third room was shared by Parnell aiul the other boy.

Woodland, the neighbour, who visited tlio family yesterday evening, said when be left the cottage shortly after seven o’clock, a good fire was going in the range. The only light in the kitchen was a kerosene table lamp on the table. AA'ollcr bad a small farm and sometimes did odd jobs in the neighbourhood.

Tho remains of all tlio children have been found. Judging by the position of the bodies, one of the girls and Parnell had moved, their bodies being found just off the hods, hut the vest, were lying as they slept. Tho remains of the father’s clothes were found at the bedside and the rest at the front of the range.