FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2580, 24 January 1889, Page 2

FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE.

A Man and his Wife Burnt Alive. A FlltE, the like of which has not happened in the town for some years, occurred at Cambridge early on Tuesday rimming, by which a man named Henry Marshall and his wife lost their lives. They were both aged, and had been residents of the township for many years, the husband, wo believe, having been an old soldier, and belonged to one of the Waikato regiments. He was very seldom seen in the town, which is accounted for by the fact that he worked at Mr Douglas', at Brentwood, and usually returned home once a fortnight. Mrs Marshall, on the contrary, was well-known, and was frequently in the town, and sometimes would take a glass or two of beer, which the poor old woman could riot stand, as a very little caused her to become unsteady. In fact, they both lilted a glass of beer, aud when the old man returned from his work they usually had some ; but they were a most inoffensive couple, and never interfered in other people's business. Those who live on the surrounding sections speak highly of them, and say they were very good neighbours. They wore both in the town on Monday evening, and left to go homo about 7 p.m. The house where the sad occurrence took place is at the east end of Williams-street, near where it joins the Maungakawa road, and is about halfa-mile from the English Church. It was a four-roomed house with a shingle roof, and :t verandah with an iron roof in front. At a little distance from the back was a detached room, in which coal, wood, etc., was stored. The house stood on a half-acre section, and was surrounded by a nice garden, full of fruit trees, on the outside of which was a tall fence of pine trees, which completely hid it; indeed the only view of the house was over the little wicket at the front. The first to arrive 011 the scene were James Corcoran and his son, who live about 250 yards away. Mr Corcoran was awoke about 1.15 a.m. by some horses in an adjoining paddock galloping about, aud his dog barking, and upon looking out of a window, in an opposite direction to the file, ho at first thought Mr Hill's residence, at Salthurst, was in flames, as the light was reflected so strongly upon the windows that it appeared as if flames were issuing from them. Finding the mistake he had made, he went to the door on the other side of his house, and then he saw the flames through and towering above the pine trees. He and his son both ran to see if they could 1 ender any assistance to the inmates, but as they were going they heard the roof fall in, and when they arrived the place was in ruins. A few minutes after, Walter Bartlett and his wife, who also reside near, ran up, and they and the Corcorans managed to keep the (ire from spreading to the shed at the back. That it must have been frightfully hot work, is apparent to anyone who has viewed the spot, for the apples 011 the trees were roasted, and indeed, some of them were not only roasted, but burnt, on

I lii! side nearest, the fire. Corcoran then went and called Constable Brennan who was quickly upon the scene, and, Finding that the well was dry, be called .1 nines Meredith, a cartor, who resides near, who yoked up his horse and dray, and fetched a tub of water. All this time the body of poor Marshall was roasting and burning in full view of those present, \vl o we e utterly powerle-s to stop it until the water arrived. Mrs Marshall's body could not be seen, and it was hoped that she had escaped; but such was not the. case, for, on lifting up the iron roof of the verandah, which had fallen back upon the house, her remains were found, nearly consumed ; in fact there were only .a few bones left, and they were ted hot. It is thought that the man had attempted to pet out, as the body was found with the head lying against the door, us if lie had been making for it when he was overtaken. With the aid of water Constable ]3rennan was enabled to recover portions of the trunk and skull ot the man. The remains were placed on bags and conveyed into the shed, where they remained until after the inquest was held. We refra in from giving the details of the removal, which were most sickening, and completely upset those who took part in it. There are three sons and three daughters loft to mourn the poor old people, most of them being at a distancesome in Australia —but one daughter lives in Bryce street, Cambridge. The whole family are spoken of as beiner straightforward, hard-woiking and honest, and we believe they have also been successful. They have all been away from home for years.