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Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4466, 28 April 1883, Page 2

The particulars of the fire, by which a child was burnt to' death at Port Chalmers, a.brief mention of which waß made m our columns last evening, are as follows—"Between half-past 12 o'clock on Thursday night and 1 o'clock yesterday morning the fire broke out. The honse was owned and occupied by Mr James Holden, fisherman. The local brigade and police were quiokly on the spot, but Ihe fire had such a hold that it was impossible to save anything. There was a plentiful supply of water, and the fire was confined to Holden's house. It having been reported a child wasmissing, when the flames were got under'; the fire brigade, under Mr Dodaon commenced to search amongst the ruins, and at 1.30 a.m. they discovered the charred remains of- Mary'Holden,'aged 2 years. Mr Holden, in company with one of his eons, left home, and whilst on] the, -bank fishing he noticed that the honsa was on fire. He at once returned, but 1 was' too late to save anything. Mrs Holden states that she lay down on the bed without, undressing, alongside of the deceased, at about 1 o'clock, and was awakened by- the crackling of the flames, when she jumped out of bed and ran into the street, leaving the little girl in the bed. The house and furniture were uninsured.