FIRE IN NURSES HOME

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1931, Page 5

FIRE IN NURSES HOME

SEVERAL INMATES INJURED. (By Telegraph—Pei Press Association) ’ WELLINGTON, July 27. Waking at five this morning to find the building in which they were sleeping a mass of flames, about" thirty women in the nurseis home attached to I Dr. Herbert’s Bowen tehreet Hospital. ' made r. hurried exit to the surrounding lawns, some jumping from the first--1 floor windows and others scrambling down the fire escapes,. Those on the ground floor had no difficulty. One nurse, MHs M. Forbes, jumping from a bedroom window landed on a gravel path and broke both wrists and’slight injury to the back. Othei's were less injured. Those placed in hospital were Miss Troups, burns; i Jean Strang, abrasions to ftlce and hands; Sheila O’Sullivan, injury to brack; Jean Dobson, injury to side; M,oda "Webb, scorched hands and face; Airs Ames, slight injury to ankle. The fire 1 was not discovered until the passage ways and main stairway were alight. Those who opened their bedroom doors faced a, solid- mass of flames sweeping rapidly through the old dry wbod of the building, When the brigade arrived 1 everyone- \Vaa out. Tin) fire was soon brought under eolitrol, but tlie greater part of the building was badly gutted. Tim five appears to have started in the boiler room and it is thought the recent earthquake may have damaged the chimney leading from the small heater. Others are of opinion, that the blaze started in a cupboard under the main stsvirca.se. The building contained twenty-three rooms and, was insured in the Sun Office for £3OOO and contents for £SOO.