FIRE TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1943, Page 2

FIRE TRAGEDY

CHILD BURNT TO DEATH TRAPPED IN HAY SHED NEAR HOUSE. INQUEST THIS AFTERNOON. A fire tragedy occurred in Masterton yesterday afternoon, when a three-year-old child, Norma Ann Hansen, a daughter of Mr and Mrs A. G. Hansen, of 69 Makora Road, was burnt to death in a fire which practically destroyed a hayshed at the rear of the house. The fire had a strong hold when it was discovered. . The Masterton Fire Brigade received a call at 3.20 p.m. The shed which contained a quantity of loose hay was well ablaze when the brigade arrived. The south-eastern portion of the shed had already collapsed and it was in this portion of the shed that the child s body was recovered later. The shed was practically destroyed. It is understood that prior to the fire Mrs Hansen was working in the house and the child was playing outside. Mrs Hansen had not noticed the child foi about fifteen minutes when she heard a crackling sound and discovered that the shed was on fire. She searched around the house for the child but was not able to find her. Her husband was in Wellington, where he was engaged in military duties. The sympathy of a circle of friends will be extended to the parents in their sad bereavement. An inquest was opened before the District Coroner, Mr L. J. Taylor, this afternoon. The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving the Chapel of Hyde’s Funeral Service Ltd., following a service at 2 p.m. for the Masterton Cemeteiy.