THE FATAL FIRE AT MAURICEVILLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9030, 21 February 1908, Page 5

THE FATAL FIRE AT MAURICEVILLE.

NARROW ESCAPE OF DECEASED'S FAMILY.

The Mauriceville fatal fire was investigated by Constable Doyle on Wednesday night, and his report states' that the victim, whose full name was Waldmar Sofas Mortensen, had been taken to his home in an intoxicated condition by a friend, and placed on a sofa. Mrs Mortunsen was home, and left deceased lying on the sofa while she and th2 (we children went into an cdjoining bedroom. Mrs Mortensen said she was afraid of her husband ill-treating her in the condition in which he was brought home. There was a kerosene lamp burning in the kitchen. Deceased called out in a loud tone, "I'll make it warm for you before morning," but as he had thrjatened previously to burn the house down no notice was taken of the remark. Mrs Mortensen was awakened from sleep by hearing the crackling of burning wood, and on getting up she found the house on fire. The flames were already attacking the bedroom she and the children were in, and she was barely able to save them. The hour was only about nine o'clock, and settlers came to the fire at once, but were too late to render assistance to the unfortunate victim.

Mrs Mortensen thinks that her husband took the lamp in his hand and upset it in trying to reach his bedroom. Deceased's remains, which were very badly burned, were found near a windo»\ which indicated that he probably attempted to escape by that means.

An inquest is to be held by Mr W P. James, S.M., District Coroner, to day.