FATAL FIRE AT WAIHI.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3489, 18 May 1920, Page 5

FATAL FIRE AT WAIHI.

BABY TRAPPED "BY FLAMES. 2 LITTLE BOY SAVES BROTHERS. ' - I WAIHI, May 18. Shortly after ten o’clock on Saturday night. 3. fil'e, attended with lpss of life, ,occu‘rred lit ‘the residence of Mr. Thomas Barker, in Barry Road, the .victixL‘y ‘-being Iris; the little daughter: of l\ll'-A Barker‘ aged about 2?; years.

At, the tizne of the outbreak Mr Barker was in ‘the township, and »Mrs Barker was attending 3. sick neigh~ bour. Four of their children had gone to bed, including the baby girl, who was asleep in the front bedroom. The eldest of the children, who had retired, a lad named James, 12 years.of age, was awakened by éinoke and flames, and after getting his two younger brothers out through ‘the "bedroom window, he attempted to reach the little girl, whom he heard crying out. On.opening the passage-door, however, he was forced back by the flames, anfl made his escape by the window through. which he had passed his two brothers.

The little fellow ran down the road and raisedihe alarm, but it "Was too late to rescue the little girl, whose charred remains were subsequently recovered from -the debris. Th house and contents were completely destroy-‘ ed. ; - -

Th'e Bfigacle ‘turned out promptly, but owing to the motor engine co1lid« ing with a. stray cow on the Way to the fire they were considerably de-. layed. Theengine ‘sulfa-ed to such an’ extent that it ~l'vas impossible to proceed in it ‘to the fire. The flames had; practically destroyed the building be 4 ‘fore the firemen ultimately arrived afi the scene in a private motor car.