SHOCKING OCCURRENCE. Man Suffocated in Elliott-street. Auckland, January 24.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 87, 31 January 1885, Page 6

SHOCKING OCCURRENCE. Man Suffocated in Elliott-street. Auckland, January 24.

An outbreak of firo occurred shortly before I o'clock this morning in a house in Elliottstroot,leased by MrMcKinlay, sign-painter. Tho alarm was given when the flames were breaking through tho roof, and the Fire Brigade, under Senior Foreman Harley was on the ground within a minute or two afterwards. Tho lire had obtained a good hold of the building, but it could not make any headway against the immense volume of water-poured upon it. Ten minutes, therefore, saw it practically extinguished. The building is a two-story one, in Elliott-street, close to the Market entrance. It is leased by Mr McKinlay from the ownor, Mr David Kean, who is a jewoller in Messrs Kohn's employ at Wellington. Mr McKinlay used the ground floor on the northern side as a workshop, while the upper floor was let to Mr Davis, saddler, also as a workshop; while Mr J. H. Holmes, scenic artist of Abbotts Opera House, had his workshop in the came portion of the building, and slept in the front room. Mr Harris, who is in bad health, resided with his family in the southern division of the block. Mr Harris, it may bo mentioned, was removed safely from the burning building while the fire was in progress. Immediately after tho flames had b.cqn .extinguished, the customary search was made through the building, when the naked body of Holmes was found lying on its back on the floor upstairs. It was not scorched, but the skin had peeled off from the intense heat. It was evident that death had been caused by suffocation. Several magazines, partially charred, were found by his pillow, leading to the inference that ho bad beon reading in bed, and had set the place on firo. Holmes, who was upwards of sixty years of ago, is said to havo two daughters in Sydney. The remains of the deceased were allowed to remain in the building, pending tho inquest which was to have been hold this afternoon. The building which has sustained comparatively slight damage, wwars r insured in the South British ollice fo £250. The contents of tho building wore not very seriously injured.