A FATAL FIRE.
TWO GIRLS BURNED TO DEATH
By Telegraph.—Press Association. Greymouth, Friday. A lire at llrumier destroyed Watchman's stove and dwelling. ■His two daughters, aged 17 and 14 respectively, were burned to death. Greymouth, Lust Night. Later details of the lire at Brunner show that the Watchmans returned home at 1 from a social. The tire was discovered at 1.30 a.m., but tile cause is unknown.
The victims' are June Walchnuu, aged 17, and Elizabeth, aired 5. Both made an effort to get out, but apparently were overcome by smoke. All the 'other inmates escaped by jumping from the second story windows. All siis'tained' minor injuries. The most serious was that sustained by Thomas, who had his arm broken. All the members of the 'family are utterly prostrated. The' premises are insured, but the 'aniouuts are not available. THE INQUEST. A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Greymouth, Last Night. The shocking calamity at Brunner caused quite a gloom over the town today. Mr. Burton, S.M., opened an inquest this afternoon, and Thomas Watchman /the father) stated that his wife, eldest child and himself were out spending tlie evening. They arrived home at U. 30 and before ' retiring he went through the house and there were no lights or fires. At about 1.30 he was awakened by something falling, and on getting up found the house filled wi'.h smoke. A lire was raging in the kit ; chen, and as the stairway led into that room escape was cut off. All were sleeping upstairs. He got all the children into the one room ami opened the window, lie let three boys down. The youngest, three years of age. broke an arm in falling. Then the wife got out. The room was filled with smoke and the heat wn»' almost unendurable. Ilv then jumped out, tbinkine' in the excitement that the girls were out. Assistance was soon at hand, but the building was a mass of Humes. The two children were never again seen. After the lire burnt out the remains were found in the debris, about four feet apart. Only the trunks could he ionnd of deceased, Jane (15 years) and Margaret' (5 years). The inquest was adjourned till Monday morning. The insurance on the building was' £IOO in the Alliance and that on the ?lock and 'furniture £OOO in the State office.
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 87, 8 May 1909, Page 2
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389A FATAL FIRE. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 87, 8 May 1909, Page 2
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