BURNED TO DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 192, 3 January 1913, Page 5

BURNED TO DEATH.

AUCKLAND TRAGEDY. MASTER. MARTNER PERISHES IN COTTAGE FIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, January 1. Serious damage and loss of life' were caused by a fire at Birkenhead early this morning, originating in a small cottage near the ferry wharf. The Are completely destroyed this building, and two stables and other structures comprising part of Messrs. C. Verran and Son's hostelry -yard.

Within an hour these buildings were consumed, and then the charred remains of Thomas McLean, retired master mariner, seventy years of age, who had occupied the cottage, were found among the embers.

The. fire, was first seen by Captain Benjamin Poole, who had just returned from his duties on the ferry boat. He immediately awoke Mr. J. Verran, who was sleeping close by. The flames were now bursting out of the. windows of the cottage, and although' the presence of McLean in the cottage was surmised, all attempts to approach it were rendered futile by the intense heat. The buildings deslroved covered about threequarters of an acre. The only available water supply was in tanks on the seaward side of the burning buildings, and therefore unattainable. Nothing could be done except to pull down the build-, nigs connecting with the neighbouring premises. Some half-dozen neighbors were aroused, and lent .assistance, but without appliances they were unable to combat the flames, which, helped by a stilT easterly breeze, made a clean sweep of everything. Unexpected assistance arrived in two long-boats from the German man-o'-Avar Cormoran, which put off at. first sitrht of the fire. The crew carried a full firemen s outfit of ropes, buckets, hatches, smoke jackets and helmets, and attacked the dangerous sheds with such goodwill that everything was soon in comparative safety. Had it not been for their prompt action in extinguishing the fire, which spread to Messrs. Smith and Horton's workshop, half a dozen houses which adjoin each other in an easterly direction would probablv have been destroyed.

, IFr - Vman estimates tlie <kma:rc at, £2OOO. Jhe premises were insured. hut tho 11 mount of cover cannot op 1 seertained.

.Hie l>odv of McLean was found hv Constable McOilp. The head and limbs had been consumed by the : ire. G'ivinoevidence at tbe inquest. Tliomas .T. Mr Lean stated lie had identified the body as that of Ins father. Tie was last, seen at 11.15 p.m. on Tuesday. The jury returned a'verdict of aonidental death.

'McLean leaves a widow, live sons, and two daughters.