DEATH OF CHILD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1939, Page 5

DEATH OF CHILD

TRAPPED IN BURNING COTTAGE. BRAVE ATTEMPTS AT RESCUE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH. August 14

Trapped in a blazing cottage at Waitaanga. Leslie Mary McGreevey, a girl, was burned to death today on the morning of her seventh birthday, in spite of heroic attempts to rescue her by two men. Mr R. Ede, who was living in the house, twice braved (he flames to search for the child, but was driven back and. when he failed. Mr Kelland hacked a hole in the side of the room, but he. 100. was unable to find her. When the lire had burned itself out, charred human remains were found inside the ruins. Severe burns were suffered by Mr Ede and Miss Frederica Barnes, of To Kauwhata. Mrs McGreevey. mother of the dead child, escaped, and her baby was passed out through the window safely. Mrs McGreevey and Miss Barnes, who were sleeping in the front bedroom will) the two children, awoke 10 find the room full of smoke. Miss Barnes and Mr Ede escaped through the only door at the hack of the building. Mr Ede broke open the window so that Mrs McGreevey could pass the baby out. She was overcome by smoke and had to be rescued by Mr Ede. who re-entered in search of the little girl, but was driven out. Ho made a second attempt, but without avail. Residents were powerless to subdue the flames in the absence of a water supply, but they did what they could to extricate the little girl. Mr Kelland chopped a hole in the side of the room, but was unable to find her. Mrs McGreevey was the last of the household to go to bed and just before she did so she noticed that the floorboards near the fireplace were smouldering. She threw water on to them and extinguished the five with more water.