A Narrow Escape.

Manawatu Herald, 29 January 1895, Page 3

A Narrow Escape.

-#. The children of Mr Birch, Inspector of Dairies for the Dairy Union, at Palmerston North, had a narrow escape of being suffocated in in his private house, situated in Waldegrave-street, on Friday night. From enquiries made it seems that Mr Birch retired to rest shortly before 10 o'clock, and soon after he was roused by screairs proceeding from the children's bedroom. He rubhed in and found the bedclothes blazing and the room full of srm ke. hi c at once got the terrified children, numbeiing four, into another room, and returued wiih a tub of water with which he stopped the progress of the fire. By the time he returned the flame was licking the ceiliDg, and it took several bucketsful of water to put it out. Miss Copestake was sleeping in the same room with the children, and bravely assisted to remove them, burning her feet very Si verely whiledoing so. Mr Uirch's clothing was burned off before the fire wa3 got under. A burning night lamp, filled with spirits, was [ the cause of the £re, but it is not

known how it really ocihrred. It wag fortunate that Mr Birch, was at home, or tho consequences would undoubtedly have been serious. He intended to go to Wellington a day or two ago, but was detained by indisposition. The damage to the beds and the bedclothing was considerable, but it is covered by insurance in the Phoenix Office.— -M. Times.