HEROISM OF A MOTHER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXiX, Issue 7730, 25 February 1909, Page 1

HEROISM OF A MOTHER.

BRAVE WOMAN COMPLIMENTED

The Newcastle coroner and a jurj expressed their high appreciation oi the courage displayed by the mother oi a. child on whom an inquest was beinj. held. The child, William Barnes, five year; old, had been playing with two younge; children m the attic of a tenemen house, while Mrs Barnes was oceupiec downstairs. The boy' had found tw. matches, and, striking- them, said he would burn the tail of a kitten witl which they were playing. I The kitten eluded the boy, and lit accidentally set fire to the bed. H< tried to extinguish the flames with hi coat, but failed, and the room rapidh, filled with smoke. The "children'i screams brought Mrs Barnes upstairs. After two attempts she succeeded ii removing the two younger children tt safety, but failed to find the eldest child. She was driven back by ths smoke, and she called on passers-by fo. assistance. A number of persons at tempted to enter the room, but they too, were compelled to retire. Effort at rescue were also made by a police man. A fireman entered the attic and fount' the child dead m a cradle. A verdict of "Death from burns accidentally received " was returned, and Mrs; Barnes and a fireman named Kavanagh were highly praised fortheii courage. j