FATAL FIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 6 April 1926, Page 7

FATAL FIRE.

IN BOARDING HOUSE. By Telegraph—Frees Association. TAUMARUNUI, April 5. Albert Edward Robinson, 45, single, a mill-hand, whose _ parents reside in Auckland, lost his life early this morning in a fire which occurred in Rowan’s boarding house, at Manunui. The' hoarding house, which was a large two-storied building, was well ablaze when tile occupants, Mrs Rowan anti three hoarders (A. E. Robinson, R. Smith and W. Simpson) first became aware of the fire at 2.30 tin’s morning. Mrs Rowan was sleeping upstairs, and the three boarders downstairs. Two of the boarders (Robinson and Smith) rushed upstairs to get Mrs Rowan out. Robinson had her outside the bedroom when Smith arrived, and Smith then took her on. to the balcony and called for a, ladder, which Simpson brought, and Mrs Rowan, who was then in a state of collapse, was carried to safety. In tho meantime it appears that Robinson dashed downstairs and was overcome by tlio ! smoke, for his charred remains were found this morning at tho door of his bedroom,. which is a front room downstairs and only a yard or two from the entrance. The. origin of the fire is unknown. The Brigade arrived on the scene as soon ns the alarm was given, but tho foreman states that they had no chance ■of saving anything, as the .wholo house was a blaziim; inferno. The occupants saved nothing, Mrs Rowan escaping in her nightdress, and Smith and Simpson in trousers and shirt.

Mr Rowan, the owner of the house, was in Auck'and when the fire occurred.