TENEMENT FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1929, Page 5

TENEMENT FIRE

THIRTEEN LIVES LOST.

(United Press Association—By Eleclrio Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this tiny at 8.30. a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 2.

A fire early this morning gutted a block of tenements at Smithwick, near Birmingham. Eleven ipersons were killed .’including a father, mother and four children named Alac- • Donald; also three members of the Jones, family, and two Astons. Due of tho Walter was a hopeless cripple. Throe women jumped, from a window and were seriously hurt. FURTHER PARTICULARS. (Received this day at noon.) LONDON, Sept. 2. The children were clasped in the arms of parents who were powerless to save them and were typrned to death when fire destroyed t)\’o, shops and houses at Smothwick. The AlacDonalds were all apparently overcome by fumes while asleep. ; A shortage of water owing to a burst main handicapped the firemen. Aleanwhile the pitiful screams of the trapped sufferers on the upper floors were heard above the roar of the flames. Spectators were horrified to see women jump from the windows. One from the fourth floor struck the pavement and died. In all, eleven bodies have been recovered, unrecognisable..