A FATAL FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 244, 15 April 1912, Page 8

A FATAL FIRE.

BRIGADE OFFICER ELECTROCUTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. / Wellington, Last Night. Shortly after dive o'clock this morning a fire, attended with fatal consequences, broke out in a carpenter's shop in Ellers lane, off Willis street. While the fire brigade were at work on the fire a ladder came in contact with a high tension electric wire. The third officer, W. R. McLean, who was ascending the ladder, caught hold of the ironwork and was instantly electrocuted. Medical aid was secured at once, but the doctors could only say that death had beep, instantaneous. The carpenter's shop was occupied by Henry Manning, who had an insurance of £4OO on the contents, inthe Commercial Union Office. The building was the property of Dalziell and Grace, and was insured with the Sun Company. A covered stairway, communicating with a room in Manners street, carried the fire to a three-storeyed building, which was badly damaged by fire and water. The second floor of the Manners street building was a billiard room, occupied by Richard Alexander, the first floor by the Sanitarium Health Food Company, and G. P. Hanna (signwriter), and the ground floor by Miss Cooper (florist), Walling (tobacconist), and Fred Jurney (basketware manufacturer). The ground and first floors were damaged by water only.