DEATH FROM BURNS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 14, 17 June 1913, Page 5

DEATH FROM BURNS.

A SHOCKING FATALITY. Per Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night., An inquest was held this afternoon on the body of Jane Veitch, an elderly woman who died at the hospital oil Sunday, as the results of injuries arising from burns. Francis L. Scott, medical superintendent of the hospital, said that deceased was admitted to the institution suffering from burns on her head, chest and arms. She was also suffering from severe shock, from which she did not rally. Thomas Veitch said that he lived with his wife at 24, Manchester street. On Sunday he. arose and got his breakfast. Deceased was sitting by' the fire, and witness, after giving her her breakfast, went back to. bed. A little later he woke up to find smoke coming into the bedroom. He rushed into the kitchen, and found his wife enveloped in flames, lying on the floor close to where he had left her. She sang out, "Tom, give me a drink of cold water." Witness could not account for her catching fire. She was not subject to fits. The coroner: I don't understand this at all. Yon went to bed and had a sleep, and then found her lying in names on the floor. Why did she: not call out to you? Witness: I never heard a sound. The coroner: Did you have any drinkin the room? Witness: She had a little whisky that morning. Tlie coroner: T thought so. In reply to further questions by the coroner, witness said that he had had no whisky. Deceased appeared t» be sober when he went to bed. There was about half a juir of whisky in (ho place that morning. Deceased was not in the habit of drinking, but took a little now and again. The coroner recorded a verdict thai deceased died from burns, accidentally received, but. in what way there was no evidence to show.