FATAL FIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2466, 1 May 1888, Page 2

FATAL FIRE.

Further Particulars

■ (BY TEI.KGKArII.—PP.KSS ASSOCIATION). NaI'IHU, Monday. A DWBi.r.TNO-iiousF. and .shop occupied by Mr Sheehan at Waipawa was totally destroyed by (ire Inst night. The inmates were asleep at tlio time of the outbreak, but, being aroused, Khivimn and his wife, infant and servant escaped through the windows, being badly e:H and bruised in their exit. Two lodgers in the house, who it was thought had escape 1, were burnt to death, their chaired remains being discovered in the ruins. The buildings, including a stable and b-ikelion.su, which were totally destroyed, were insured m the .South British for WOO.

Sheehan, his wife and child slept on the ground Hour, and only escaped in their night clothes, leaving nearly £800 in money in a chest ot drawers. The two boarders slept up stairs, and were named Odium, a tailor, and Kinlayson, a labourer, a native of Auckland. From the position of the bodies when tound, it was evident they had never awakened. In the next mom a man named Cooney slept, and was wakened by the stifling smoke. He rolled out of bed, and made "for his door, and staggered across the mom and fell upon his bed, aiid was giving himself up for lost when, swinging his arms about whilst suffocating, his left hand struck and smashed a window pane. He made, one .spring, and hurst right through the window, cutting himself badly. He landed on the verandah, and from there rolled on to the ground.' Almost at the same time his sister, who occupied the next room, was seen leaping through her .vindow. and from oil the verandah she jumped to the ground. Thus all were saved, with the exception of Odium and Finlayson, whoso charred remains now wait the inquest.