A FATAL FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 8 July 1907, Page 2

A FATAL FIRE.

TWO LIVES LOST. Per Press Association. Dunediu, -Inly 0. A fatal lire occurred (it Port (Jlialincrs this morning. Constable Smart noticed Humes issuing from n two-storied wooden house, and 011 hurrying to the scene found 11 young man, William Aborfield, ami his sister-in-law, Hine Rcliu, lying 011 the footpath severly' burnt and injured. It appears that the inmates were awakened liy a noise of lire, and Aberllold rushed to the front window overlooking the street, telling his wife to throw their four-year-old child into his linns. After he jumped down (he jumped about 15 feet), and, finding his wife | did not appear, he climbed back through a window, and searched for them, but was driven back by the flames and smoke before he could reach them. Tie, however, stumbled over his wife's sister, 11 years old, crouching in a corner of the room. Tie picked her up, and dropped her from a window on to the pavement, and jumped out again himself. Dr. Borne was quickly 011 the scene, and attended to the snlTerera. Aberfie'.d was badly burned, and also sustained severe sealp wounds and laceration from the broken window frames. Iline Helm was so shockingly burned as to be almost beyond hope of recovery, and both wore sent to the hospital. After the fire was got under, the bodies of Mrs and the child were discovered amongst the debris. Aberfield had only been in Port Chalmers about four weeks, and was employed at the new dock. His parents reside at Gveenhills, near the Bluff. Mrs Aberfield only came to Port Chalmerß a couple of weeks ago to join her husband, and her little sister was staying with them on a visit. The house belonged to John Watson, and was insured but the amount is not yet ascertainable.