LARGE FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 463, 23 October 1877, Page 2

LARGE FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.

A MOTHER AND .1 CIIILDKEN BURNED TO DEATH. (by telegraph, per tress agency.) Wellington, October 23. A fire and sad loss of life occurred this morning about 4 o'clock. The fire broke out in the house close to the Princess' Hotel, and occupied by Mrs. Johnson (whose husband died a short time ago) and her five children, throe boys and two girls. The fire must have originated either in the room in which they slept or close to it, for when the fire was discovered only the upper part of the house was in flames. The alarm wan given by Mr. Reader Wood, M.H.K., who lodged on t':e opposite side of tiie road. Mr. Cattel, who owned four of the houses burned, tried to force his way into where Mrs. Johnson and the children were, but was driven b;ick, suffoca «d by the smoke, flames, and gas. The firemen were there sharp, witii a large crowd anxious to render assistance, but for over an hour not a drop of water was to be had, it having been turned off on the night before. Had there been water the tire could have been confined to one house. After the fire was got under, the bodies of Mrs. Johnson and the live childnn were found in a space of about Bft. square. It is supposed that they were suffocated. There are five houses, a kitchen, and a new stable destroyed, besides a good deal of damage being done to the Princess' Hotel, most of the furniture of which was iMnovt d. Mr. Catttl owned f<>ur of the houses, the kitchen, and .stal-h'. Insurances :—The National loss is LIOOO «>t; three of the houses ; Eolith I3rif ioli, L2OO on Mr Yates' house and furniture; the furniture of Mr! Cattel's private house whs insured for L4OO iti the New Zealand, but a yood dial of it was saved ; the Princess' Hotel and furniture were insured for LISOO in the New Zealand. Between the damage to Mr. Cattel's furniture and hotel, the New Zealand office estimates its luss at LSOO. This includes all insurances. The most intense feelings of dissatisfaction prevail at the water having been turned off.