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BURNED TO DEATH.

BROTHER AND SISTER. TRAGEDY AT WAITUNA. Waimate, April- 23. A brother and sister were burned to death early on Sunday morning when their home, situated at Waituna, was demolished by lire, another brother narrowly escaping a similar fate. The deceased are': — Francis John O’Brien, single, aged 68. Freda Bertha O’Brien, single, aged 59. The man who escaped just before the roof fell in by clambering through a window was Ernest James O’Bi’ien, a single man, aged 57. * The house, which was a landmark, having been erected over 50 years ago, was reduced to nothing but cinders and twiested iron. One chimney is all that remains standing.

The survivor, Ernest O’Brien, awolce about 6 a.in. to find his room full of smoke. Realising the position instantly, he got out of bed and rushed to warn the other two occupants of the house, but> the way of their rooms was blocked by flames. He shouted to awaken his brother, but received no reply. He rushed back into his - bedroom, grabbed a few clothes, and jumped out of a window.

Rushing round the house, ha shouted to his sister at her window, and just as he received a reply the red hot roof fell in.

The charred remains of the brother and sister were later recovered. V

As his watch and braces were found on Mr. O’Brien’s remains, it is surmised that lie returned home tired and weary late on Saturday night and lay down on the bed fully clothed and fell asleep, leaving burning a kerosene lamp or candle. This may have been the agent responsible for the fire.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19280424.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3783, 24 April 1928, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
270

BURNED TO DEATH. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3783, 24 April 1928, Page 2

BURNED TO DEATH. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3783, 24 April 1928, Page 2

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