FIRE VICTIM

CASHIER'S DEATH FELL WHEN ESCAPING Seriously injured when he fell in escaping from the fire at the premises of John Burns and Company, Limited, a little more than a fortnight ago, Mr. Francis Harold Baker, aged 47, married, with two children, of 61, Hinemoa Avenue, Devonport, died in a private hospital yesterday afternoon. When the fire broke out Mr. Baker was in his office on the first floor and before making his escape he put his books in the safe. Climbing through a window, he stepped on to the roof of the Customs Street verandah. While preparing to be lowered to the street in a rope sling he fell and suffered severe head injuries. Members of the firm said at the time that Mr. Baker was coolheaded and not likely to have become unduly excited or perturbed. They considered that he must have been overcome by smoke, causing him to faint and fall when practically out of danger. A popular member of the staff. Mr. Baker had been in the employ of the firm for about 30 years. For the past 12 years he had been cashier. He was a returned soldier, having served in the Great War as a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion. Auckland Regiment. He was awarded the Military Medal. An inquest was opened this morning.