BURNED TO DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20729, 13 February 1939, Page 6

BURNED TO DEATH

VISITOR FROM AUSTRALIA TRAPPED m PIMA REACH I VAIN ATTEMPT AT RESCUE (Special to Time*) AUCKLAND. Monday Mr Gordon Robert McKay (43), a fruit preserver, of Burwood, Sydney, was burned to death In a bach at Plha early yesterday. He was married with live children, his family being in Sydney. a companion, also an Auatrallaa. was unable to attempt a rescue and had to dash from the blazing building to save is own life. Mr McKay, wbo bad been In Auckland less than a week, bad taken ££o# in Australian banknotes with him to Piha, and this was lost in the fire. His companion, Mr James Arthur Talbot (38). a fruit preserver, also of Burwood, Sydney, lost everythin* bs had taken to the beach, including £33 In Australian currency. The two men were spending * week-end at Plha in a bach belonging to Rev. F. Carew Thomas. At about 1.30 a.m. Mr Talbot was awakened by a bumping noise, and thinking that Mr McKay, who was recovering from a tooth-extraction operation, needed some assistance, went towards the room occupied by him. but encountered flames. He burst open the door in an endeavour to reach hit companion, but was driven back by the heat and flames. He summoned assistance, but nothing could be done. Mr McKay's remains were found later. Mr Talbot is suffering from shock. Before he left Piha a collection was taken up for him by residents. SAVED SON’S LIFE MAN’S GALLANT ACT RE-ENTERS BLARING HOUSE (Special to Times) AUCKLAND. Monday A father’s heroism In returnilng to d blazing wooden house from which he had climbed down a Are escape saved the life of his son when flames swept through their home at Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, yesterday morning. Both men were burned, the son very severely, and the bouse was damaged extensively. The injured men are:— Mr Leonard Reuben Jepson (13*), single, engineer, who was admitted to the Auckland Hospital suffering from severe burns to the fsoe and arms. His condition last night was serious, but slightly improved. Mr Reuben Jepson, his father, who had both arms and hands burned. The two men were alone in ths bouse. Mr Jepson, sen., who slept upstairs, was awakened about 2 a.m. hv the sound of Are. He attempted is go downstairs but was driven back by a wall of flame, and descended by the Are escape. Finding that his son had not emerged, he returned to the burning building by the back door, made his way through the kitchen, which was full of flame and smoke, and reached the hall at the foot of the stairs. “ Len was lying in the passageway." he said. “ I managed to pick him up and get him through the kitchen and then out the back door. At this time 1 did not know that the Ore brigade had arrive.d, but there was somebody there and I passed Len to them ami told them to get him away." Occupants of a two-storey house next to the one in which the Are occurred, were hurriedly aroused and advised to leave. A man who had five ribs broken and his head severely cut in a motor accident last Thursday. Mr W. Muchamore, was one of the occupants. It was with the greatest difficulty that he descended the staire and made his way to the street.